Dale Henderson Parrish

Major Dale Henderson Parrish (USAF, Ret.), 91, of Valdosta died on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at South Georgia Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born on December 27, 1922 in El Dorado, Kansas to the late Thomas L. and Helen Matheson Parrish. He grew up and worked in the oil fields of Kansas which shaped his character, learning to value hard work, sacrifice and duty. Being a member of the "greatest generation", these traits came to the fore when he answered his country's call and enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the outset of WWII. Upon completion of flight training, he was assigned to pilot B-17's and flew 35 missions over Germany during WWII and was awarded the Air Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, the Air Campaign Medal, just to name a few of the many awarded to him. He also served during the Korean Conflict and had obtained the rank of Major at the time of his retirement from the Air Force in 1966. Major Parrish also served in the civil service and served at Moody for many years in the 347th Supply Squadron and retired as Deputy Chief of Supply in 1987. To understand the boy who was raised in the oil fields of Kansas who became the man who wore the uniform, one would only have to refer to his flight training records and read the word "Excellent" when referring to his character.

Survivors include his wife, Eileen Parrish of Valdosta; three sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Sandi Parrish of Valdosta, Larry and Mary Parrish of Falls City, Nebraska, and Mike Parrish and his partner, Sue Schell of Bellevue, Washington; four grandchildren and their spouses, Alexander Parrish Arzayus and Juan Diego Arzayus of Valdosta, Marc and Sarah Parrish of Prairie Village, Kansas, Ryan Parrish of Independence, Missouri, and Michelle Parrish of Wichita, Kansas; four great-grandchildren, Ezekiel Alexandra Arzayus of Valdosta, Anna Parrish and Bennett Parrish of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Luke Parrish of Wichita, Kansas; a sister, Betty Kelly of Wichita, Kansas; two nieces, Melinda Beavers of Haysville, Kansas, and Glenda Allison of Berryville, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Jack Parrish.

A memorial service for Dale Henderson Parrish will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2014 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home with The Reverend Larry Parrish officiating. The committal will follow in the McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Second Harvest or to a charity of choice. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.




Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602