Extracted from The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK)
PARRISH
S. P. Parrish Jr., 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Wednesday, August 13, 2003. He was born on October 19, 1920 in Madill, Oklahoma the second son of Leona and S. P. Parrish Sr. A lifelong resident of Madill, he graduated from Madill High School before entering the U.S Army, where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant and served during World War II in France. He was highly decorated and in 2001, he received special commendation of gratitude from the Consul General of France for participating in the liberation of France from the Germans.
He married Peggy Joyce McCarty of Louisiana and together they returned to Madill where they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. He joined his father in Parrish Electric and Plumbing, which today is recognized as the oldest continually operating General Electric dealership in the United States. He was affiliated with the Madill Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post #99, member of the Lions Club, a volunteer fire fighter for many years, was instrumental in the location of the National Guard in Madill and a member of the First Baptist Church of Madill, where he especially valued his Sunday School class.
He is predeceased by his parents and his brother Lindon Parrish.
He is survived by his beloved wife, his sons Rick Parrish and his wife Carolyn of Cedar Rapids, IA; Tom Parrish and his wife Ashley of Oklahoma City; and his daughter, Jennifer Parrish of Madill. Also surviving him are grandchildren Michelle Ellis, her husband Mike and their children Emily, Jack and Kate; Craig Parrish; Laura Parrish Chapman, all of Oklahoma City; Rosalie Parrish Chapman of Madill; Lynne Parrish of Washington, D.C.; and Scott Parrish of Savannah, GA; brothers Perry Parrish of Oklahoma City and Worden Parrish of Tulsa; together with numerous relatives in the Madill area.
Services will be Friday, August 15, 2003 at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church, Madill, Oklahoma. Bob Waitman will officiate the services. Music will be arranged by Barry, Mark and Craig Williams and Karen Wellman. Interment will be in the Woodberry-Forest Cemetery under the direction of Watts Funeral Home, Madill, Oklahoma.
Memorials made to: Madill First Baptist Church Building Fund. Casket Bearers: Herschel Beard, Alan Parrish, Jessie Suarez, Brian Parrish, Ed Benton, Larry McDaniel, Logan Beard.
Friday, August 15, 2003