Timothy Parish's Obituary
Timothy Alan “Tim” Parish, 62, of Boonville, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Boone Hospital, with his husband, Jeffrey, at his side. After several health challenges over the years, including a long and courageous journey with diabetes and cardiac issues, and most recently, non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, Tim’s strong and generous heart finally found rest.
Tim was born on April 18, 1963, in Boonville, Missouri, to Shirley Ray Clancy and Bill Lee Parish. He spent most of his life in the community where he was born, building a life centered around family, friendship, and the simple joys of good food and good company. From an early age, Tim showed a natural gift for hospitality and hard work. At just thirteen, he began washing dishes at Stephanie's Steakhouse, later known as Main Street Café, where Goldie Mayo gave him his first opportunity in the kitchen. That early start would blossom into a lifelong career in food service and hospitality, a field where Tim’s creativity and big-hearted nature could shine. Over the years, Tim honed his craft through a variety of roles. He prepared meals at Cooper County Memorial Hospital and Kemper Military School in Boonville before moving on to Red Lobster in Columbia, Missouri. In the spring of 1987, he transferred to the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, where he served as a trainer and mentor for both Red Lobster and Applebee’s International. Tim had a knack for teaching and helping people develop confidence and pride in their work. His leadership was kind yet firm, and those who worked with him often remembered how he could make a busy shift feel like a family gathering.
That same year, fate had something special in store. On February 14, 1987, in Columbia, Missouri, Tim met the love of his life, Jeffrey J. Lueck. Together, they built a partnership that would last nearly four decades, bound by mutual respect, humor, and unwavering devotion. They shared not only a home but also a calling to serve others, both through their work and through countless small acts of kindness.
In January 1995, Tim returned home to Boonville and purchased the Main Street Café. Two years later, he expanded his dream, selling the café to purchase the Steinhouse Restaurant in April 1997. With Jeff by his side, Tim transformed the Steinhouse into a thriving restaurant and catering business, complete with a banquet room to host community gatherings and celebrations. What set Tim apart was his ability to make every guest feel like family. He had an open-door spirit, one that extended far beyond the restaurant walls. Tim was especially passionate about creating opportunities for people with disabilities. He recognized that many were often overlooked or underestimated, and he made it a personal mission to include them in the restaurant’s daily operations, offering not only jobs but also a sense of belonging. He believed that everyone deserved a place to contribute, to learn, and to feel valued. After his mother, Shirley, passed away, Tim honored her memory by continuing her tradition of bringing people together for the holidays. What began as a family dinner at his home grew into a community-wide event. Tim and Jeff opened the Steinhouse each Thanksgiving, inviting anyone without a place to go to share a free meal surrounded by warmth and conversation. Over time, others joined in to donate food and funds, turning the event into a beloved Boonville tradition that reflected the best of Tim’s generous spirit.
Beyond the restaurant, Tim shared his skills and compassion through his work at the University of Missouri Hospital, Department of Dining & Nutrition, as a Patient Kitchen Supervisor. During his six years there, he developed recipes that brought comfort and flavor to hospital meals, firmly believing that good food could help people heal. He also worked with Job Point of Columbia to provide training opportunities for individuals with disabilities, continuing his lifelong commitment to inclusion and empowerment.
Tim’s personal life was filled with the things he loved most: family gatherings, antiquing, and collecting unique treasures, especially knockdown wardrobes that now fill his Boonville home. His attention to detail extended from the kitchen to every corner of his life, and he took pride in creating beauty and comfort wherever he could. Despite facing significant health challenges throughout his life, Tim remained resilient. Diagnosed with diabetes at thirteen, he underwent a kidney transplant in 2001, with his sister Leonda as his donor. That gift gave him over twenty-five additional years of health and vitality. Tim often spoke with deep gratitude about her generosity and the medical team who cared for him. He also held tremendous respect for his longtime cardiologist and friend, Dr. Jerry Kennett of Columbia, whom he first met at the Steinhouse three decades ago.
Tim’s strength was matched only by his strong will. He was outspoken, sometimes blunt, but always authentic. You never had to wonder where Tim stood on an issue; he made sure you knew. His honesty could be sharp, yet it came from a place of care and conviction. He believed in standing up for what was right, even when it wasn’t easy.
Tim is survived by his husband, Jeffrey J. Lueck, of Boonville; his sisters, Leonda K. West and Tamara (Tammy) (Michael) Walters, of Boonville; his honorary sister, Alva Rasco, of Sunrise Beach; nieces Brittany N. Walters, of Columbia; Kaitlin Lynn Walters, of Boonville; Deanna Offineer, of Boonville; Tristen Offineer; Cortney Walters, Megan Walters (Nick McCuloch) of New Franklin; Sophia McCuloch of New Franklin; Olivia Bishop & Cortney Walters of Boonville; and nephews M. Joseph Walters, of Boonville; Gaige Offineer, RyLee West, of Boonville; and Greyson West of Boonville; Jayse McCuloch of New Franklin; Kyren Bishop of Boonville; He was preceded in death by his parents, Shirley Ray Clancy, Bill Lee Parish, and Paul Clancy, Uncle Jack West, Sr, and infant Nephew Kaden McCuloch.
A visitation for Timothy Parish will be held on Friday, February 27, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at H.T. May & Sons Funeral Home, 405 Sycamore Street, Boonville, Missouri. The funeral service will take place the following day, Saturday, February 28, at St. Matthews AME Church, 309 Spruce Street, Boonville, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Boonville Memorial Gardens.
Tim’s life was guided by his faith and his belief in the power of kindness. Though moderately religious, he found his greatest expression of faith in service to others—in feeding the hungry, welcoming the lonely, and creating spaces where everyone felt included. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched, the meals he shared, and the love he gave freely. As those who knew him reflect on his life, one truth stands out: Timothy Parish was an advocate for people. He spoke his mind, stood his ground, and always worked to make the world around him a little better, one meal and one conversation at a time.
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