Gene Leo Parsons

GENE LEO PARSONS August 30, 1927 ~ September 4, 2017 On September 4, 2017, Gene Leo Parsons passed away peacefully at Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital, Portland, OR. He was born August 30, 1927 in the town of Fairfield, Jefferson County, IA. His parents Leslie L. Parsons and Effie Doud Parsons lived and worked on a dairy farm adjacent to the Fairfield Country Club. Gene was the youngest of three children, the oldest his brother, Warren and Lois, his sister. Gene and his family left Iowa in 1942 and moved to southern California. Settling first in Long Beach and later in Los Angeles. Gene attended schools in Iowa and Los Angeles, graduating from Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles in 1944. A year at L.A. City College was followed by Gene's service in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at Long Beach Naval Base from 1945-1946 and was an Aviation Machinist Mate. Gene rated a Seaman 1st. Class and received the Victory Medal World War II at the conclusion of his naval tour. Gene met his future bride Ruth M. Schuppert at the University Methodist Church on the USC campus in 1946. They were married July 1, 1949 and bought their first house in Culver City, CA in 1951. In 1954, Gene and his growing family moved to Gardena, CA when he joined the Gardena Fire Department. He served 28 years and was a respected and competent member of the cities public safety team having the rank of Fire Engineer upon retirement in 1982. After 43 years in southern California, Gene and Ruth moved to their retirement home in Fairway Village, Vancouver, WA in 1992. It was Gene's wish to live on a golf course and to enjoy the Pacific Northwest in his retirement. 25 great years of golf, making good friends, travel and living in a beautiful area of the country certainly granted that wish! Gene is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons, Michael (Linda), Ron (Linda); and daughter, Gail Darby. Gene was blessed with six grandchildren, Tim, Brian, Lauren, Laurel, Ross, Lily and two great-grandsons, Jackson and Luke. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and his sister. Private internment will be held at the Veterans Cemetery. The family would like to thank the Fort Vancouver Post Acute Care Center for their kind support and care. Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Gene Leo Parsons

August 30, 1927 - September 4, 2017