Eugene Alvin Barrand

Eugene Barrand earned his heavenly wings on May 9th, 2023 from complications of Parkinson's. The oldest of four boys and two girls, born to Alvin Barrand and Faye Reamer. Jack, Gary, and Larry, all preceded him in death. His two sisters, Pat (Ron) Lierz and Linda (Bill) Sampson still reside in Topeka. 

Gene was born in Wetmore, Kansas and lived on the farm growing up. He graduated from Wetmore High School. He grew up in a time when if something broke, you fixed it. I don't think there was anything that if broke, he couldn't fix. 

It was in a little farm community that he met the young lady who would become his wife. Joanne Marie Lewis and he were married on November 1, 1954. Their early married life was spent in California while he served his country in the United States Marine Corp. Joanne preceded him in death on June 21st, 2020. 

They were blessed with three children. Johanna (Joe) Terry, Rodney (Loretta) Barrand and Jacqueline Bolen. Along came his grandchildren, Jeremy (Julie) Barrand, Brandi (Jared) Adams, Jessica (Jeremy) Thomas, James Terry, Tanner (Devin) Barrand. Then the GREAT grandchildren: Caitlin and Carter Adams, Natalie Barrand, McCoy, Shiloh and Georgia Terry, Memphis and Bingham Thomas. 

Gene loved to be outdoors. Camping, fishing for catfish, playing softball, gardening and moving to the indoors, bowling. If you knew him, you knew he was really competitive. He may have been known to kick a ball return or two while bowling or throw a ball mitt in softball. He played softball on two teams and bowled on two leagues until he was 82 years old. He was a fan of the University of Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. 

Places of employment included Hill & Co., a wholesale plumbing supply. Wilch Manufacturing, the place that invented the slush machine. Steel Fixture Manufacturing Company of which he became part owner. Steel fixture made storage cabinets that were sold and shipped around the world. But, I think my favorite place that he worked, that he told me about , was when he was young and worked at Bankers Investments. He was the Repo Man! Him and his buddy, if they had a car to repo, would sit and wait for the owners to come home. Once the lights went out in the house, they would break into the car, push it down the street, hotwire it, and drive it away. 

Gene was a Christian man and attended North Topeka Baptist Church for many years. It's because of his faith that, although we miss him dearly, we know that we will see him again. He was the best son, brother, dad, grandad, great-granddad, friend you could ask for. Since we know he is now in heaven, rejoicing in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we know we will see him again. If you have received Christ as your savior, you will see him again too. 

Our hearts are broken, we are sad he's gone and we will miss him greatly, but it's not goodbye, it's we will see you again.