John “Jack” Edward Parrish, Sr.

John “Jack” Edward Parrish, Sr. passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013 at North Florida Regional Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He was born Dec. 16, 1938 in Leesburg, Fla., the son of Harley Watson Parrish and Olive Margaret Petersen Parrish. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Patricia “Pat” Kirby Parrish and three sons, John Edward Parrish, Jr. (Renee) of Crawfordville; Mark Steven Parrish (Sarah) of Mint Hill, N.C. and David Wayne Parrish of Alachua.

Mr. Parrish had six grandchildren, Amber Parrish Vickers (Bobby) of Crawfordville, Steven Paul Parrish (Dierdra)and Emily Melissa Parrish both of Charlotte, N.C., John Wesley Golden (Leslie) of High Springs, Jennifer Tanner of Georgia and David Austin Parrish of Orlando, He also had seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Harley T. Parrish of Conyers, Ga., and two sisters, Margaret Parrish Grimando of Orlando and Mary Ruth Parrish Johnson of Ocala. He was predeceased by his parents, Harley and Olive, a brother, William “Bill” Preston Parrish and his only daughter, Mary Kathryne Parrish Golden.

Mr. Parrish worked for the Florida Highway Patrol until 1976 when he left to become the first Chief of Police for the City of Alachua Police Department. He retired from that position and law enforcement in 1984. He and Pat enjoyed time together fishing and traveling around America seeing God’s treasures.

There will be a memorial service at a later date. Contributions in Mr. Parrish’s memory can be made to Concerned Christians for the Community, P.O. Box 14582 Gainesville, FL 32604 or the American Heart Association.