Gene Pearish

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Forrest E. Pearish Jr, age 76, of Joplin, Missouri passed away February 9, 2023, following a sudden illness.

Forrest, most commonly known as “Gene” was born January 6, 1947, in Joplin, Missouri to Forrest Sr. and Elizabeth Pearish (Hall.)

Gene served in the Army for over three years and during that time he served in Company C of the 31st combat engineers. He married his wife Jennifer Pearish (Rickey) while he was on leave after basic training. 

On February 22nd, 1969, he was wounded in Vietnam. He was awarded a Purple Heart among other honors. After his service in the Army, Gene and his wife moved back to Joplin, Missouri where they started a family and had three sons.

Gene then became active in both his church and community. He became a member of the Standing at the Cross Christian Church in Carthage, Missouri. He was also an active member in the DAV, American Legion, and VFW. Gene also found time to coach little league baseball and soccer.


Gene is survived by his wife, Jennifer Pearish (Rickey.) His three sons; Steven Pearish, Douglas Pearish, and Jeffrey Pearish. Gene is also survived by two brothers: Bob Pearish and Jim Pearish, as well as a large family of eleven grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest Sr., and Elizabeth Pearish (Hall), his brother Bill Pearish, two sisters; Betty Jean Pearish, and Juanita Church. Gene was also preceded in death by his granddaughter Nichole Pearish.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Wednesday February 15, 2023, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. The family will receive friends Tuesday February 14, 2023, 6:00 – 7:00 pm at the mortuary.