Warren Coleman Parrish

Dec. 27, 1921 – Nov. 18, 2015

 

Mr. Warren Coleman Parrish, age 93, formerly of Bath, NC, Greenville, NC, and Aberdeen, MD, died Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Cypress Glen Retirement Center in Greenville.

Warren was born in Richmond, VA on December 27, 1921. He was the son of Vernon Parrish and Hazel Jones Parrish. Soon after his birth, the family moved to Greenville, NC, where Warren was active in Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and was a member of the varsity football and track teams. In 1941, he entered N.C. State College, but departed in 1942 to enter the U. S. Navy to defend our country. Warren became a dive-bomber pilot aboard the carrier, USS Essex, as a member of the “Silent Second” division in the “Fabled Fifteen” air squadron, which participated in many naval engagements in the Pacific during WWII. He obtained the rank of Lieutenant JG and was awarded the Navy Cross, for helping to sink the Japanese battleship, Musashi, during the battle of Leyte Gulf. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals and the Presidential Unit Citation.

After leaving the Navy, Warren returned to N.C. State College where he graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. A year later, he moved to Aberdeen, MD, where he met and married Viola Entermille. They had four children before she died of cancer in 1971. Warren was employed with the Federal Government as a mechanical engineer in the Ballistic Research Laboratories at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. In the community, Warren served as a Town Commissioner, two years as Mayor. He also served on the Aberdeen Planning and Zoning Commission, the Harford County Charter Board and on the Aberdeen board of Appeals, two years as the Chairman. Warren was a member of the First Baptist Church of Aberdeen, where he served as Treasurer and on the Board of Trustees. He also served on the Executive Board of the Bakersfield Elementary School PTA and as President of the APG Civilian Softball League.

In 1973, Warren married Evelyn Bare. They retired and moved to Bath, NC in 1979. Warren and Evelyn attended the Second Baptist Church of Washington, NC, where Warren served as treasurer. He also belonged to the Lions Club, served with Meals on Wheels and volunteered with the Bath Historical Society. In 2011, Warren and Evelyn moved to the Cypress Glen retirement home in Greenville, NC.

In his later years, Warren greatly enjoyed playing golf, building miniature houses with Evelyn, rooting for the NC State Wolfpack and serving others in the community. More than the extensive service over many years to his community and country, Warren was best known for friendships that spanned decades and for his sense of humor which made even total strangers smile when they met him. Warren truly followed the Bible teachings of caring for his fellow man and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Warren was preceded in death by Viola Entermille Parrish in 1971, his wife of 23 years and Evelyn Bare Parrish in 2015, his wife of 42 years.

Warren is survived by two sons, Douglas Parrish and wife, Marilyn Brasier of Corvallis, Oregon, and Richard Parrish of Brandon, Florida; two daughters, Linda Parrish Kelly and husband, Thomas of Mt. Airy, Maryland, and Elizabeth Parrish of Pamplico, South Carolina; step daughter Donna Thompson Kahoe and husband, Robert of Bel Air, Maryland; grandchildren Lesley Parrish of Arlington, Virginia, and Andrew Parrish of Corvallis, Oregon, and step grandchildren Colleen Kahoe, Brian Kelly, Sean Kelly, Thomas Kelly, and Megan Kelly.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at Second Baptist Church, West Fifth Street, Washington followed by funeral services at 2:00 PM. The service will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Phil Hayes his minister of many years at Second Baptist Church.

Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.

Memorials may be made to the Second Baptist Church, 2516 West Fifth Street, Washington, N.C. 27889.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Parrish family.