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John Arendall Parrott Jr.

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East Carolina University

FUNERAL HOME

Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations - Kinston

702 North Queen Street

Kinston, North Carolina

John Parrott Obituary

KINSTON | John Arendall Parrott Jr., born March 25, 1949, in Kinston, N.C., to Dr. John Arendall Parrott, Sr. and Mrs. Hettie Andrews Parrott, passed away Tuesday evening January 19, 2016, after a lengthy illness. John received his early education in the Kinston City Schools and earned a BS in Business and an MBA from East Carolina University. At the time of his death, John was a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed in Raleigh, but he probably received his greatest professional satisfaction from his earlier career in the military. He followed in his father's footsteps and joined the National Guard in his twenties, where he achieved the rank of Colonel. After 9/11, he was activated into the Army and was sent to Bosnia. There he commanded the NATO base outside Sarajevo and was responsible for troops from 32 nations. At the end of his tour John retired from the military. However, a few years later at age 61, he was individually recalled and sent to Afghanistan, where he served as a negotiator with Afghan tribal leaders. After 18 months, he returned home and permanently retired from the Army. He resumed his career here until his health forced his retirement in 2015. He is survived by his incredible fiancé, Susan Grace Herring of Raleigh; his brother, Billy Parrott and wife Delphia, of Creedmoor; his sisters, Mary P. Jones of Kinston and Susan P. Ward and husband Randall, of Raleigh; five nieces and nephews, eight great-nieces and great-nephews, an aunt, an uncle, many cousins and friends, especially his dear friend, Lyn Haft. Family and friends are invited to gather from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, at 10700 Leesville Road to celebrate John's life. Graveside services with military rites will be at 1 o'clock on Monday, January 25, at Westview Cemetery in Kinston. Arrangements are with Edwards Funeral Home, Kinston, N.C. Sign the guest book at Kinston.com

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Published by Free Press on Jan. 22, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for John Parrott

26 Entries

Colonel Sreven Amster

January 2, 2023

I was fortunate to have then-LTC Parrott as my Executive Officer at the 312th Field Hospital (USAR) in Greensboro from 1997-98. I later visited him at Butmir, Sarajevo in 2002. I lost track if him and just discovered his obituary. I was saddened by his early passing. He was a great example of a military officer.

Vermelane Jones Daniels

February 17, 2016

Sorry to here of Johns passing,went to school with him at Grainger High School,prayers for the family

Rachel and Huw Christopher

January 28, 2016

Funchie:

We were so sorry to hear about your bother's death. May God bless, comfort and strengthen you and all of the family.

Rachel and Huw

Barbara McMurray

January 27, 2016

John was a caring kind and gracious gentleman who served his country well. Wishing his family Happy memories and a swift peace. Fondly Barbara and Michael

Barbara McMurray and Michael Curtis

January 27, 2016

John was a caring, kind and gracious gentleman who served his country and fellow man well. Wishing his family Happy memories and a swift and abiding peace. Remembering Johnny fondly.
Barbara McMurray and Michael Curtis

Gary Hunneyman

January 25, 2016

I am very sorry to hear about John's passing. I worked next to him and met him in the hall many times. We talked briefly about his military career and was always going to take him to lunch so I could find out more about his career in the military. I had no idea he had held such important positions in our military. Thank you John for serving our country with distinction. You will be sorely missed. I always looked forward to our bumping into each other. With only spending a total of a few minutes with him over the course of our meetings I could tell I was talking to someone special. My condolences go out to his family. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

Michael Carmody

January 25, 2016

I knew John as a classmate and even though we never became close friends I always enjoyed his sense of humor and attitude in class. My prayers go out to his family and loved ones.

Deborah Prater

January 24, 2016

I was so sorry to learn of John's death. He was such a genuinely nice man.
We graduated from Grainger High School together.
Deborah Casey Prater

John Owens

January 24, 2016

Like Mary Ella, I was John's classmate for several years. On the first day of each new school year I would check the array of students in my classes, and if I saw John's happy face in any of them then I knew that was going to be a very interesting class. With his extraordinary sense of humor, he never failed to get me LOL long before LOL was cool.
Strength and peace to Billy, Susan and all John's loved ones.

Sandra Hayes

January 24, 2016

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. John was a great man and will be truly missed.

David Ansbro

January 24, 2016

John was one of the kindest, most genuine people I have ever known. I spent a great deal of time with him over the past few years. While I was his designated "mentor" at Waddell & Reed, it was he who taught me. My warmest and most sincere condolences to all of John's family and friends. He will forever be missed.

Carrow Fort

January 24, 2016

Billy and Susan,
I sure was sad to hear of John's passing.
I will be out of town Monday but will be thinking of you both.

Becky

January 24, 2016

An officer and a gentleman, Johnny was a man who served with distinction, loved and cared for his friends and family and left things better than he found them along the path he followed in life. I am so sorry for the loss of your brother and friend.

MaryEllison Turner

January 24, 2016

Mary and family, we were saddened to read about John's passing. Please know we have you in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
Mary Ellison and Lyn Turner

Linda Ehrlich

January 22, 2016

To Susan, and to John's family, I am so saddened to hear of John's passing. I was privileged to meet him when he and Susan stopped by on their way to a vacation. I will never forget what a gentleman he was! My thoughts are with Susan and his family.

Mary Ella Nelson Pollock

January 22, 2016

Heartfelt sympathy to all of you. I was a Grainger High School classmate.

Harriett Croom..Vick

January 22, 2016

I was so shocked to hear about the passing of John
Remember that sweet smile from all our years together in school... Thoughts and prayers for the family

Vernon Chandler

January 22, 2016

I considered John one of my best friends. We met in the 1990s when we were both officers in the same military unit and we maintained a friendship after we were reassigned to different units. Years later, we roomed together at Fort Benning, Georgia while undergoing pre-deployment training. From Fort Benning, we flew together to Germany where we spent a few days before I left for Kosovo and John departed for Bosnia. John was a faithful and loyal friend. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with Susan Herring and John's family.

Pam Gray

January 22, 2016

I am deeply saddened to learn of John's passing. I treasure the fond memories I have of him. My sympathy to his family.

January 22, 2016

John was a great friend for many years...and a true gentleman.

We will miss him and his fine sense of humor, for sure.

Bob & Donna Jones

Brenda & Carter Sitterson

January 22, 2016

Funchie, Susan, & Billy, Carter and I were so saddened to read of John's passing today. He was such a warm, sweet person. We can see why he was called back into service to be a negotiator!! Please know that we are thinking of you all!

kathleen Norris Stroud

January 22, 2016

Prayers to all John's precious family. I last saw him in Kinston when Hettie was honored by LMH. His military career sounds most impressive. RIP to a sweet and caring man.

Hal McKinney

January 21, 2016

So sad to hear today of John's passing. Knew him since we were neighbors in Greenville in the 1970's. My family joins me in expressing our deep sorrow.

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