Charles Eugene "Gene" Garrick, aged 76, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at his home in Columbus, MS after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 6, 2023, at The Assembly, 2201 Military Road in Columbus with visitation at 10 a.m. Graveside services will be held at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Columbus.

Gene loved life.  He loved people and never met a stranger. His family was the joy of his life and he loved making memories with them. He touched many lives and will be missed by so many.

Gene was born in Thomasville, AL on October 25, 1946.  He was the son of Charles Edward "Buddy" Garrick and Jean Sheffield Garrick of Lower Peach Tree, Alabama.

Gene started school in Whatley, AL where the family lived when his father worked for International Paper Co. His father was transferred to Quitman, MS where Gene attended Quitman public schools until his graduation as an honor graduate in 1965.  Eugene was highly regarded by his teachers and his fellow students and greatly enjoyed attending class reunions until his health prevented his attendance. Gene loved to play sports, particularly football which he played from peewee to his senior year when he was named All Choctaw Conference quarterback.  He received the first annual Zack Huggins Award given to the most outstanding student-athlete.  He also ran track specializing in the 440 relay and all dashes.

While living in Quitman, Gene met a Tupelo girl, Pamela Shultz, who was visiting her grandparents during the summer. After dating for three years, Gene and Pam married in August 1967 and were married for 55 years. After high school graduation, he enrolled at Mississippi State University and remained a loyal Bully fan with a well-rung cowbell.  He received his bachelor's degree and his Master of Business Administration from State,

Gene was a member of the Mississippi Air Force National Guard where his job was air traffic controller and in 1969 he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS.  During this time their first daughter, Angela "Angie" Rene was born.  Also during 1969 as a Guardsman, Gene was one of the first to arrive on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to participate in the clean-up after Hurricane Camille.

His first job after college was Materials Manager with General Cable Company in Monticello, IL.  He was later promoted to General Cable's office in Visalia, California.  During this time, they welcomed their daughter, Lori Leigh.

Gene's Southern family rejoiced when he accepted a job with Desoto Manufacturing in Jackson, MS in 1976. Two years later he took a job as a chief operating officer with Sanderson Plumbing Products in Columbus, MS where he lived the remainder of his life. In 1988 he joined the family-owned Dutch Oil Co. and Sprint Mart.  Gene would say that working with the Gillis family in different management positions was his most rewarding job.

Gene was a lover of God from the earliest age.  He grew up in the Baptist church, first at historic Horeb Baptist Church in Whatley, AL, and then at First Baptist Church in Quitman.  While living in California, Pam and Gene went on many retreats in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and began teaching their own neighborhood Bible study. Through Baptist Lay Renewal they learned that spiritual growth happens quickest on retreats and in-home Bible studies. This gave them a lifelong passion for helping people grow spiritually.

When they came back to Mississippi, they founded Waukaway Christian Retreat Center a non-denominational retreat center to minister to people from all church backgrounds. Through the prayers and financial support of many, the retreat is now a place where campers can study, eat, sleep and commune with God as their faith deepens.

In Columbus, they also started a home Bible study group that lasted over twenty years and had hundreds of people go through it during that time. They led many other study groups in the community and Bible classes in their church. Gene also began the small group ministry at their church Evangel Assembly of God (now Vibrant Church) for Pastor Ron Delgado. Gene was an active member of the church and a deacon for many years.

Gene was an active outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He also enjoyed flowers and gardening and he was always up to doing adventurous things like exploring caves, and hiking.

Those of us who loved him, considered him a great gift from God.

Gene was preceded in death by his daughter, Angie Garrick Maxwell (David), his father and mother, and his in-laws, Flora and Ralph Shultz. He is survived by his wife, Pam; daughter, Lori Leigh Grant (Ricky) Olive Branch, MS; sister, Jan D. Garrick, Jackson, MS; grandchildren, Reese Maxwell (Emily), Florence, MS, Kadi Maxwell, Florence, MS; Jayme Grant Demien (Kyle), Lakeland, TN, and Harrison Grant and Macy Grant, Olive Branch, MS.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to his devoted caregivers who were with him 24/7 since his illness began.  They are Monica Petty, Brenda Humphries, Sylvester Harris, Sylvia Richardson, Annette Weber, Lula McCradic, and Dan Macon.

Pallbearers will be Reese Maxwell, Harrison Grant, Allen Schrepferman, Charlie Perkins, Rex Gillis, Dr. John Fields, Glen McClelland, and John Ledbetter.

Honorary Pallbearers Brett Robinson,  Guy Mackey, Thad Buck, Tommy Brown, Charlie Carter, Dan Macon, Mark McCarty, Bill Autrey, Jerry Frolander, Dr.  John Stanback, and Ron Delgado.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to, Waukaway Springs Christian Retreat 189 County 2351, Vossburg, MS 39366.