Leslie C. Parrish Jr.

Parrish, Leslie C., Jr.
Returned to His Lord and Savior on Aug. 25, 2006 after a week in hospice. He was born on Feb. 19, 1926 in Wichita, KS.After graduation in 1944 from East High where he enjoyed wrestling, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He fought 105 actual combat days on the islands of the South Pacific. He was at the ceremony of the Japanese Military surrender on Oct. 25, 1945. He finished his tour of duty in China.After his Honorable Discharge as Corporal Parrish in Aug 1946, he enrolled at Kansas State in Manhattan, KS. In Mar. 1947, he joined the Kansas National Guard and the Air Force ROTC where he was was promoted to First LT in short time. On Feb. 14, 1948, he announced his engagement to Irene Gehrke of Herington,KS., unaware that the National Guard had submitted his name for a competitive appointment to West Point. Passing the physical and mental tests, he was one of the 700 men out of 3000 entries to be chosen. He loved the military and was quickly recognized by his upper classmen. Because at age 22 he had already seen too much gore and pain with many buddies dying around him he decided that he would not recite the pledge to "Glory and Fame". He resigned his cadet appointment. He married Irene in April 1949.During the summers while in college he supplemented his G.I. income by building Quonset huts across the Midwest, and designed the Bull Walker-Exerciser while working in the K-State Bldg. Drafting Dept. After receiving his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of KS in Lawrence, he was employed as a designer on the B29 for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita.He next worked for U.S. Steel in Gary, IN, where he designed the hot tin pumping system for the tin-plating line. He worked for Western Electric in Cicero and was promoted to Senior Eng.Then transferred to their "Omaha Works" in NE. Having obtained a Manufacturing Degree, he oversaw the installation of the Wire Spring Relays Platinum Tips plating line and also designed the automated overhead storage system that is in use today.He passed the Navy exams for certification as a fall-out Radiation Analyst. When he learned of the high levels of Strontium-90 radiation fall-out in the Midwest coupled with the fact that his father and his brother had both died of leukemia, he decided that his family would be healthier if they lived in CA. He went to work for Hughes Aircraft in Culver City, where they recognized his ability to be a team player and transferred him to Mountain Home, ID where he worked to install the Titan Missiles. While working for HAC, his ability to design and invent birthed the self-seating reversible thread screw. He worked directly on the Surveyor. An assignment of the AAmram Program brought out the invention of the Missile Loading Adapter, which Hughes sold to the government of Denmark. In 1974, since he had maintained his licensed Engineer registration earned while in NE, HAC was able to win a contract with Iran to build and be the facilities engineer for the Shah's 49 sq. mi. airbase near Isfahan. He and Irene sold their home and bid their friends at Loving Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gardena goodbye and went together while he worked two years Tehran, before being transferred to Isfahan. While in Tehran, he placed Bibles in hotels rooms with the Gideons. Les and Irene returned to Southern Calif. in 1978. He retired from HAC in Long Beach at age 67.He served on the Board of Deacons several terms while attending Calvary Church of the Coastlands in Torrance. He volunteered for the LAPD in San Pedro. His move to San Diego allowed him to be closer to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Using his CAD computer training, he designed containers for Chandler Pkg. He enjoyed delivering "Meals on Wheels" with his Kiwanian friends. He volunteered at Kaiser Hospital and he continued for seven years until vertigo ended it.He is survived by his beloved wife, Irene; his sister, Betty Leedy of Eldorado, KS; his two daughters, Wilma Nelson and Wanita Chandler; his two grandchildren, Gabe Chandler of San Diego and Tami Moore of Andover, KS. in addition, five great-grandchildren: Torran Owens, Tristan Chandler, Carly Moore, Grant Chandler and Zoe Leslie Chandler. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Sept 29 at 2:00 P.M. at San Diego First Assembly of God at 8404 Phyllis Place. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to San Diego Hospice or the Gideon's International. Les will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Please sign the Guest Book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.