The Rev. David Leroy Parrish

The Rev. David LeRoy Parrish became our Guardian Angel on December 24, 2024, at the age of 87. He was born September 17, 1937, in Marshfield, WI, the first child (and twin son) of Clarence and Georgia (nee Fitze) Parrish. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, dad, and grandpa. He shared fond memories of the time he spent with his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Family gatherings with his children and grandchildren were also very special to him.

Since September 2, 1961, he called Karen (nee Brunet) his “bride.” She’s the love of his life and on each anniversary, he would buy the number of red roses that matched the number of years they had been married, plus one white rose for the year to come.

David and Karen had three children. Their first child, Nancy, remembers fondly the special one-on-one times with her dad. They are her favorite memories of her childhood. She is especially thankful for the opportunity to spend extra time with him during his last months on Earth. James is their second child. Dad and Jim enjoyed building home projects together. As an architect, Jim designed the exterior projects and then they worked as a team to make them reality. Their third child is Janelle. She affectionately remembers Dad’s hugs and kisses, saying “Good morning!” to each other, and spending time watching The Price is Right together.

There is no doubt Dad was a proud grandpa! He wore a big grin when spending time with his three grandchildren. He inspired his first grandchild, Kate, with music and photography. She followed in his footsteps, becoming an accomplished trumpet player. Sam, his second grandchild, remembers going with him to Home Depot to buy supplies and then building the project together. Sam continues to enjoy creating with wood and paint. Dad enjoyed the precociousness of “Little Beth,” (Elisabeth) his third grandchild. He liked how she had her own way of looking at the world. All three grandchildren enjoyed “Happy Days,” an ice cream shop he built in the basement of his house.

Dad never met a cookie or a brownie he didn’t like. Sweets were his favorite food group. To the contrary, he never met a salad he didn’t despise, claiming he was “not a rabbit.” He tasted his first cup of coffee when he attended the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He disliked it so much he wouldn’t try another cup for the remainder of his days.

In addition to being a loving son, brother, husband, dad, and grandpa, David had two occupations during his lifetime. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1960 with a B.A. degree, he received a Master of Divinity degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL, in 1963. He also attended the College of Chaplains AEHC.

He became a priest in the Episcopal Church after he was first ordained a Deacon in 1963 and then ordained a Priest in 1964. He was called to churches in Mankato, Little Falls, and Litchfield, MN, and Lincoln, NE. In addition, he was called to be chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital and Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, MN; Hamot Medical Center in Erie, PA; and St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO. He was active in the Civil Air Patrol serving as Chaplain of the NE Wing from 1990 to 1994. He was awarded Chaplain of the Year in 1992.

Upon retirement from the clergy, David became a realtor with Coldwell Banker in Janesville, WI. He was known as “Doc,” being the photographer for the company’s listings and helping families buy and sell homes.

Throughout his life David loved playing the trumpet and listening to musicians such as Glen Miller, Stan Kenton, and Wynton Marsalis. In the early years he had his own Dance Band, as well as teaching trumpet at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, and playing in the University of Minnesota marching band. He encouraged his daughter, Nancy, to play the flute. Together they participated in musicals (The Sound of Music, Oklahoma…) and the city band in Litchfield, MN. He taught his son, Jim, to play the trumpet, inspiring a life-long love of music. After retirement, David became the director and musician of Janesville’s Blue Velvet Orchestra.

The Rev. David Parrish is survived by his wife, Karen Parrish; children, Nancy (Scott) Brummond, James Parrish, and Janelle Parrish; grandchildren, Kate (Chris) Hill, Sam Brummond, and Elisabeth Brummond; and great-grandchildren Preston and Beckham Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Donald Parrish; brother, George Parrish; and sister, Eileen Parrish.

A private graveside service will be held at 1 P.M., on January 4, 2025, in Stanley, WI. His final resting place will be in the Oakland Cemetery next to fondly remembered family members from his childhood.

The family is being assisted by HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME. Online condolences can be shared at www.henkeclarson.com.

Dad, until we meet again, we will strive to do our best to follow your gentle example of selflessness, integrity, and compassion. We love you.

As you shared in your sermon at our weddings:

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

“Once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

“…the little Rabbit grew very old and shabby, but the Boy loved him just as much. He loved him so hard that he loved all his whiskers off, and the pink lining to his ears turned grey, and his brown spots faded. He even began to lose his shape, and he scarcely looked like a rabbit anymore, except to the Boy. To him he was always beautiful, and that was all that the little Rabbit cared about.”

-By Margery Williams

The Velveteen Rabbit