Obituary of Richard Gene Scarbrough

Richard G. “Gene” Scarbrough, a life well lived, went home to be with Jesus his Savior and Lord, February 26th 2024.

Gene was born March 19, 1930, the youngest son of Ira Mason and Salina Maude (Thomason) Scarbrough.

Gene grew up in the Jasper County area and graduated from Monroe High School in 1949, where he met the love of his life Gloria Jean Williams. They were married August 12, 1951 at the Monroe Methodist Church. To this union 3 children were born: Richard Jr., (Freda), Tampa FL. Koni Bunse (Marv) Newton IA and W. Kent (Debbie) Altoona IA. They made their home in Newton where he was active in church and community. Gene worked at The Maytag Company in the factory environment as a production line worker,  dryer supervisor (1956) before finishing out his career as an analyst in Methods Engineering and his retirement in 1989. He was a devoted son, husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, great grandpa and uncle who loved his faith, family and country; he served in the United States Air Force (1950-1954) and the USAF Reserves until 1958. He took his family on a month long tent camping adventure seeing America and appreciating God’s creation. He enjoyed woodworking, and music. He played percussion in various dance bands in and around Iowa, at the age of 10 he was the youngest to play in the Monroe City Band, and as an adult, he played in the Newton City Band. He enjoyed attending and participating in the Newton Community Theater musical productions, Jasper County Concert Association, Traveling with JH Travel and playing Texas Hold ‘Em and Bingo with his Park Centre family. He was an avid square dancer involved with the Newton Squares and later Challenge Square Dancing. His church home was the First United Methodist Church where he participated in Choir, United Methodist Men, and was involved in Boy Scouts as Scout Master with his sons in the 60’s. He enjoyed FaceTime with grandson Eric (Julie) in Florida & seeing his great grandchildren Colin & Logan grow. 

Those left to honor his memory are his children, 4 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Betty Hartwell of Chico, CA, and Marcia (Marc) Cole Huntington Beach, CA and many nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, his bride Gloria Jean, brothers Floyd, and Rex, sisters Joye McCauley, Nina Matthews, brothers-in-law: Clare McCauley, Frank Matthews, sisters-in-law: Ruby Scarbrough, Geri Scarbrough, extended family brothers-in-law: Sam J. Williams, Gary Williams, step sister-in-law Carole Ann Anderson, nephews: John Scarbrough, David Scarbrough and Chuck McCauley.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday March 4, 2025 with visitation one hour before the service at the First United Methodist Church in Newton, IA. A Facebook Live broadcast will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the Pence Reese Funeral Home Facebook page.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to The First United Methodist Church Organ Fund, Jasper County Concert Association, Jasper County Museum, Newton Community Theater or donor’s choice.