Kenneth Deon Parrish

Parrish, Kenneth Deon
passed away on Wednesday November 27, 2013 in Scottsdale Az. Kenneth was born on October 4, 1941 in Goreville, Il. The son of Elvis and Mildred Burklow Parrish. Ken was raised in Goreville and attended Goreville high school where he played basketball. Ken had one sister Sherry Durham and six brothers, Max, Bill, Jack, Bob, Denny and Carl. Max and Carl preceded him in death. Ken worked in the construction industry for a short while and had one daughter Cindy Ragin. Ken decided to move to Mt.Vernon, Il. and start a career in sales in the insurance industry. Ken had a very successful insurance agency in southern illinois where he met and married his present wife Thelma (TJ) Hayes Parrish. They had a son Michael Deon and decided to move to Scottsdale Az. where he had a very successful insurance agency where he marketed insurance nationwide with hundreds of agents under him. He won numerous awards for top producer and several trips he and his wife tool traveling around the world. Along the way he developed a passion for golf and became a very competitive golfer. He had several( hole in one) and held the club record at several clubs where he was a member.They had another son, Christopher Scott who would later become his computer tech teaching him the latest in the tech world. A true entrepreneur at heart Ken was never afraid of hard work or a challenge, decided to branch out into the real estate where he owned and managed several large office complexes. He formed his own property management company where the sky was the limit.There was highs and lows in the real estate business but failure was not an opition with Ken. When large companies were filing bankruptcy he continued to take the bull the horns and keep on going. He took great pride in having his son Michael work beside him in the real estate business who is presently still in the commercial real estate development. Successfully turning the tide he decided to retire and play golf. Ken loved his family with all his heart, the greatest joy was when his son Michael gave him his grandson Adam Michael and a year later his granddaughter Ashley Marie. Just when he thought it couldn't get any better his son Christopher gave him his little princess Kassandra who would play the piano endlessly the songs he wanted to hear. Ken hated funerals and his wishes were to be cremated and his ashes remaining with his wife TJ who cared for him and loved him with every ounce of her being.Knowing how much family meant to him we are waiting until January to have a celebration of life so everyone can be with their families during the holidays. There will be a celebration of life at Moon Valley Country Club on January 17, 2014 from 4:30 to 6 pm where Ken did what he loved--play golf.