Obituary for Calvin Daws Parrish
Calvin Daws Parrish was born July 18, 1925 in Harlingen, Texas to Culberson & Sherlie Parrish. He was named after the Administration in 1925 led by Calvin Coolidge as President and Charles Dawes as Vice-President of the United States. Calvin graduated High School in 1943 in Leggett, Texas. He worked on the family farm until enlisting in the Army (1943-1946) where he was initially stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Calvin became a Platoon Sergeant in the last horse cavalry detachment of the United States Cavalry, and his unit was the last of the famed Rough Riders. When the horse cavalry was abolished, he earned his wings and finished the war as a paratrooper where he made 6 jumps. He was later shipped to the Philippines to join the 11th Airborne Division and, as the war ended, was moved to Japan to serve as occupation troops. He enlisted in the inactive Air Force Reserves (1946-1949). In 1950 the Korean war broke out and Calvin enlisted in the Naval Air Force (1950-1954) with rank as an Airman and was assigned to a fighter squadron that was flying F4U-Corsairs for which he became responsible. He had sea duty on the USS Boxer and USS Randolph before being honorably discharged.
Following his time in 3 branches of the military, he felt the call to preach while attending a camp in the Catskill Mountains in New York. He was licensed to preach in September of 1955 at First Baptist Baytown, Texas; Ordained in September 1956 at Tribbey, Oklahoma Baptist. He attended Oklahoma Baptist College for two years, pastoring in Oklahoma while attending school. Calvin also worked for a construction company to make money to continue his education after his first two years of school. He preached at a couple of small mission churches in South Dakota while working construction and later came to Missouri with a crew building a bridge across the Missouri River at Boonville, MO. During that time, he began pastoring a small church near Boonville, called New Franklin First Baptist Church. While working on the bridge, some scaffolding Calvin was on gave way and he fell 40 feet to the ground, breaking his back. Janice Zeller, later to become his wife, began visiting him in the hospital and the dating began with Calvin in a full upper body cast. They married June 18, 1960 and had 3 children, Tammy (Raby), Tim and Jeff.
Calvin also pastored First Baptist Church, Crocker, MO, Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Springfield, MO and First Baptist Church, Fordland, MO. Calvin went back to college at Southwest Missouri State University obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Education while preaching full-time. Calvin did his student teaching at Hillcrest High School when Tammy was a senior and Tim a freshman (yes there are stories). He was a very present father to his children in the midst of attending school and all the 24/7 availability that full-time ministry requires of small church pastors. He was most definitely a people person and pastoring was his heartbeat. He loved the Lord with all of his being and it was demonstrated on a daily basis through his dedication to spending intimate time with Him and humbly serving people.
Calvin is survived by his wife, Janice, of 62 years; His three children and their spouses – Tammy & Randy Raby (Strafford), Tim & Melenda Parrish (Springfield), and Jeff & Holly Parrish (Phoenix). Calvin has 6 grandchildren who dearly loved him – Reid Jackson & wife, Kearstin, Layne Barnhart & husband, Anthony, Sam Parrish, Luke Parrish & wife, Katie, Drew Raby and Alex Raby. The cause of much conversation and great love is Calvin’s newest namesake, great grandbaby Calvin Barnhart (nicknamed “Little Wiggly”). Calvin is also survived by his brother, Paul Parrish & wife, Jean, Thurman Parrish & wife, Gwen, Sister-in-law Donna Wilmsmeyer & husband Hugo and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Curtis, Norman & Cubby, his sister, Vera, and an infant sister.
Calvin was a dearly loved husband, grandfather, son, brother & friend. His faithful service to the Lord is a treasured legacy to his family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1 from 5:30-7:30pm and Celebration of Life on Friday, December 2 at 10:00am at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. Burial will be at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with graveside service on December 2 at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ridgecrest Baptist Church Missions Fund at 2210 W. Republic Road, Springfield, MO 65807.
Following his time in 3 branches of the military, he felt the call to preach while attending a camp in the Catskill Mountains in New York. He was licensed to preach in September of 1955 at First Baptist Baytown, Texas; Ordained in September 1956 at Tribbey, Oklahoma Baptist. He attended Oklahoma Baptist College for two years, pastoring in Oklahoma while attending school. Calvin also worked for a construction company to make money to continue his education after his first two years of school. He preached at a couple of small mission churches in South Dakota while working construction and later came to Missouri with a crew building a bridge across the Missouri River at Boonville, MO. During that time, he began pastoring a small church near Boonville, called New Franklin First Baptist Church. While working on the bridge, some scaffolding Calvin was on gave way and he fell 40 feet to the ground, breaking his back. Janice Zeller, later to become his wife, began visiting him in the hospital and the dating began with Calvin in a full upper body cast. They married June 18, 1960 and had 3 children, Tammy (Raby), Tim and Jeff.
Calvin also pastored First Baptist Church, Crocker, MO, Pleasant Home Baptist Church, Springfield, MO and First Baptist Church, Fordland, MO. Calvin went back to college at Southwest Missouri State University obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Education while preaching full-time. Calvin did his student teaching at Hillcrest High School when Tammy was a senior and Tim a freshman (yes there are stories). He was a very present father to his children in the midst of attending school and all the 24/7 availability that full-time ministry requires of small church pastors. He was most definitely a people person and pastoring was his heartbeat. He loved the Lord with all of his being and it was demonstrated on a daily basis through his dedication to spending intimate time with Him and humbly serving people.
Calvin is survived by his wife, Janice, of 62 years; His three children and their spouses – Tammy & Randy Raby (Strafford), Tim & Melenda Parrish (Springfield), and Jeff & Holly Parrish (Phoenix). Calvin has 6 grandchildren who dearly loved him – Reid Jackson & wife, Kearstin, Layne Barnhart & husband, Anthony, Sam Parrish, Luke Parrish & wife, Katie, Drew Raby and Alex Raby. The cause of much conversation and great love is Calvin’s newest namesake, great grandbaby Calvin Barnhart (nicknamed “Little Wiggly”). Calvin is also survived by his brother, Paul Parrish & wife, Jean, Thurman Parrish & wife, Gwen, Sister-in-law Donna Wilmsmeyer & husband Hugo and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Curtis, Norman & Cubby, his sister, Vera, and an infant sister.
Calvin was a dearly loved husband, grandfather, son, brother & friend. His faithful service to the Lord is a treasured legacy to his family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1 from 5:30-7:30pm and Celebration of Life on Friday, December 2 at 10:00am at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. Burial will be at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with graveside service on December 2 at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ridgecrest Baptist Church Missions Fund at 2210 W. Republic Road, Springfield, MO 65807.