Donald Ray Parrish's Obituary
Donald Ray Parrish passed peacefully to be with our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. The youngest of eight children, he was born on April 15, 1935 in Amelia, Texas. He graduated at age 16 from South Park High School in Beaumont, Texas and studied business at Lamar University.
A child of the Great Depression, he was a self-made man that personified the American Dream. One of his first jobs was a crop duster flag boy. He proudly served in the Army Reserves then began his career in electrical supplies by working in the warehouse at Graybar Electric. He later founded two companies, Parrish-Hare Electrical Supply and Fuseco with Pat Hare.
Don met his “Princess”, Betty Lynn Blanchette at the Pig Stand Restaurant in Beaumont. After asking her to marry him more than fifty times, he finally told her, “Next time you’ll ask me”. She did and they were married on October 5, 1957. Don woke up every day and doted on his wife. Their love is a lasting inspiration for so many.
Don loved camping with his children when they were young and as his businesses flourished, he travelled extensively. Betty Lynn and he have been to two-thirds of the states in the union, Canada, Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Spain, Morocco, Greece and Italy. Once his grandchildren were born, they traveled as a large family to Disney regularly, extensively throughout the Caribbean and enjoyed yearly ski trips to Ruidoso, New Mexico. Don and his bride spent their summers in Ruidoso with their high school friends making memories and enjoying retirement.
Through the years, they have lived in several places - Garland, Dallas, Ruidoso and Carrollton, but Don was at “home” out on Cedar Creek Lake. He loved watching the sun come up and watching it go down. He loved piddling in the garage or boat dock. He loved the peace and solitude of his newspaper with a cup of coffee. He loved a good book. He loved talking with neighbors and friends, and he especially loved “Beer-Thirty” out on his sailboat, “Sumpin Practical”.
Don was an avid sports fan. He loved the Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Cowboys and was a proud member of the “Reunion Rowdies”. So boisterous was mild mannered Don at the Maverick games, he was once invited by pro basketball player, Karl Malone down to the floor for a fist fight. Thankfully for Mr. Malone, Don declined.
Don’s generosity is well known. Many family and friends have benefitted from his business knowledge and investments. Don found himself often mentoring younger entrepreneurs. That entrepreneurial spirt was in his soul well after he officially retired and he took great pleasure in guiding them and watching their success.
Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Lynn Parrish; his sisters Millie Moyer and Marie Merendino; his son Ray and his wife Lisa Parrish; his daughter Patti and her husband Steve Cadigan; and grandchildren Allison Parrish, Jared and Annika Parrish, Maddie Parrish, Griffin Cadigan and Parker Cadigan.
Don and Betty Lynn lost a son (Rusty) to congenital heart failure at a very young age. They understand the pain of losing a child and are happy to have friends assist the goals of the Myocarditis Foundation. Granddaughter, Maddie has worked at the foundation for five years. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Don’s name to:
The Myocarditis Foundation
3518 Echo Mountain Drive
Kingwood, TX 77345
(281) 713-2962
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