Geoffrey Theodore Gish

About

Kinkaid School Lamar High School University of Houston

Geoffrey Gish Obituary

GEOFFREY THEODORE GISH graduated to glory on August 31, 2004 and left this earth surrounded by loved ones. He is lovingly known as "Geoffredo" by many whose lives he touched. Geoff's constant and infectious laugh will be forever remembered and sorely missed by all. His keen wit, encyclopedic knowledge and cheerful spirit made him a joy for those around him. He touched the hearts and was engaging to all those who crossed his path from all walks of life. He grew up loving to ice skate at the Polar Ice Galleria skating rink and until his passing would argue that the Rolling Stones were better than Led Zeppelin. To quote Geoff, "Boys just want to feel the air, boys just want to fly". He will be remembered as a hero and a soul mate to his cherished wife and a true friend to all whom he met. Geoff was born in Walnut Creek, California on July 17, 1961 and was raised in Houston. He attended The Kinkaid School (after John Cooper met him and encouraged his parents to enroll him there) and various other H.I.S.D. schools before graduating from Lamar High School. He graduated from the University of Houston with Honors with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Geoff is preceded in death by his grandparents Pres and Dorothy Johnson, Sarah and George Gish, and Warren Imwalle as well as by his cat Vern and his childhood dogs Marvin and Abby. Geoff is survived by his wife Juanita Page Gish of Houston, his mother Dr. Claudia Imwalle Gish of Houston, his father and step-mother Theodore Gordon Gish and Brenda Nasser of Mokelumne Hills, California, his sister Sarah Dorothy Gish and her husband Stuart Tait Buchanan of Houston, his other brother-in-laws David Michael Page of Houston and Dwight Richard Page and sister-in-law Charlotte Page of Colorado Springs, Colorado as well as his beloved nephews Alexander Gish Buchanan and Matthew George Buchanan of Houston and his other nieces and nephews Bryan Dale Page, Holly Page, and Derrick Page and numerous cousins and aunts and uncles from all over the country. He is also survived by his dog Fritz. A memorial service for Geoff will be held at Christ Church Cathedral (downtown at 1117 Texas Avenue) at 11am this Saturday, September 4th. The family will receive visitors afterwards at 1400 Hermann Drive (across from the Hermann Park Rose Garden) in The Gallery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Geoffrey Gish Memorial Fund, Bank of America (Texas) account #005780453969; the money received will be used to award scholarships at the Polar Ice Galleria skating rink as well as for other charitable organizations. As Geoff and the Rolling Stones said (in "Jumping Jack Flash"): "But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas!"

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle from Sep. 2 to Sep. 3, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Geoffrey Gish

10 Entries

Mike Smith

September 8, 2004

Geoffey Baby My man--my main man--Thank you for at least one million laughs and a million dollars worth of fun--You and I sitting in a restraunt doing Cheech and Chong laughing --LOUD!!!!--All the Christmas parties and good music--You will always be special to me---Glenda and I will help take care of Juanita until we're all together again. Mike(LT)

Manning Mann

September 8, 2004

My brother, Scott, and I will miss Geoff. We became childhood friends when we moved to the South Hampton-area neighborhood of Houston around 1971. Geoff was not only a friend, but like a brother to us. Our neighborhood gang were very much like the "Little Rascals." (I will never forget Geoff smoking a cigar at the age of 12!!!) We had much fun ice-skating with Geoff at the Galleria, and going into the practical joke shop and other Galleria stores with him afterwards. After moving to California, Scott and I continued our friendship with Geoff, seeing him on our summer visits. We even maintained our friendship through highschool and into college with frequent visits to Houston. Geoff had an infectuous laugh and quick wit. His jokes were so funny to us!!! Many times we would laugh so hard with Geoff that our sides would hurt! Geoff was a natural comedian! Geoff always kept a positive outlook on life. I expect that the angels and saints are being entertained by him right now! Heaven has got to be a fun and loving place with Geoff's presence! We love you and miss you, buddy! Manning and Scott Mann

Carolyn Scott

September 8, 2004

We, as former neighbors on Wroxton have such fond memories of Goeff and the fun Manning & Scott (Mann) had togetherwith him. Memories that will last. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Sincerely, Carol Scott & Scott Mann

Vince Bailey

September 3, 2004

Geoff was like a brother to me. I was a lonely missfit that didn't have any real friends and then I met him. We skated and lived free and happy when we were on the ice. When you read or see movies about kid friends, that is us. Much of my personality is the way it is because of Geoff. I guess this was about 1979 to 81 time span but it seems like the times we spent could be forever. When I was Geoff I had the best times. They kicked us out of that damn Galleria more times than I can count on both hands. We loved that place. It was especially beautiful skating there at Christmas time. We didn't really like the tree on the ice but we used it as another prop as pretended to be acrobats on the ice. I think Geoff busted a finger or two pretending he was surfing. Guys like the Telez brothers, Gene Corpus, hounest John, Danny, Rick Shoup, Viola was always there making sure we didn't sneak in. I remember the late skates and Steve Willit plaing "Freebird" with some band. Then there were the girls Sabrina and Molly. Geoff was nuts about Sabrina and I was nuts about Molly. Their dad chased us out of house one night and Gish and I hid in the bushes. We thought he had a shotgun and he was going to shoot us. Geoff, Gene and I lived in the Montrose area off of Woodhead. Hell, I can't even remember the street name. Man did we have parties. Geoff and I used to call ourselves the "Glimmer twins" after Mick and Keith of the Rolling Stones. I loved to sing and Geoff loved to play that air guitar. We would dance around acting like complete idiots but we didn't care. We were sooo happy then. I can remember going to record stores with Geoff line to get the Led Zepplin's In through the out door and Billy Joel's glass houses. He was the best friend a guy could have. I last saw Geoff in the early 90's at his apartment off of Richmond I think. I was just too busy in the last 15 years. I wish so much I would have been able to reconnect with him. People just grow apart but I alway knew if/when I saw Geoff that we could rehash old memories and we would laugh and relish in those good old days. I will always cherish the times we spent together. I will alway have a warm feeling in my heart when I think of Gish. That is what I always called him. Gish. Rest easy my good friend. I will see you when its my time and we can skate again. I bet the ice is always smooth like glass up there.

Your friend forever,

Vince

September 3, 2004

Juanita, we are so sorry for your loss. I know this must be a terribly hard time for you but hope that you will find comfort in the loving support of your friends. And I hope that you will feel Geoff's love and presence as he watches over you and protects you from above. We will be thinking of you often and remembering you in our prayers.

Love, Nancy and Craig

Sam Butler

September 3, 2004

Juanita,

Although I have known you only a short time and did not know Geoffrey it is evident to me that he was a special man and that you had a very special relationship. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know you have a strong spirit and you will be nourished by the spirit of Geoffrey as well.

Sam

Robert Smalley

September 2, 2004

Claudia,

Please accept my condolences. He is with Christ, where we will someday be united. I came to you for help in 1982. I am now doing better. Although moved away is there anything I can do to help? My prayers are with you all.

R K & E M Cook

September 2, 2004

We did not know "Geoffredo" but he sounds like a wonderful person to have known and loved. His obituary and life story is delightful, including mentioning his friends who were other than human. We think it is fabulous to have lived such a great life with so much love given and received. That should be a comfort to you. It is a great loss to the world not to have more of his kind here with us. We are sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,

The Cooks

GLENDA SMITH

September 2, 2004

Geoffy Baby,

I can still see you sitting at our

table laughing so hard at Mike's

jokes you would cry. We will miss

our times together, the love and

laughter will live in our memory

of you always. I will miss our

dinner dates when you and Mike

embarresed us so bad. We always

had such great fun. We love you and we miss you. God bless you, don't

worry we'll take care of Cousin

Juanita for you. Big hug until we

meet again.

Mike & Glenda Smith

Samia Garcia

September 2, 2004

Juanita, may the love of family and friends comfort and strengthen you in the days ahead. May the thoughts and prayers of all those who love you help sustain you at this difficult time.

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