Edward Owen Parry Jr.

Edward Owen Parry Jr.

Edward Owen Parry Jr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 15, 2012, after a brief battle with lung cancer. He was 68 years old. Owen was born on November 9, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Edward Owen Parry Sr. and Virginia Lloyd Parry.

He graduated from Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, in 1961, and was a proud University of Virginia graduate four years later (Class of 1965). During his time at UVa, he joined the Chi Phi fraternity and there found brothers that would remain dear to him for the rest of his life.

Upon graduation, Owen took a job with CIGNA insurance where we worked steadily until his retirement in 1999. After starting in Field Sales in the Northeast Ohio region, he steadily worked his way up to several senior executive positions including Senior Vice President of National Sales, Senior Vice President of International Financial Services, and finally returning to his beloved specialty of Field Sales. Owen was a proud member of the National Marketing Executive Gold Circle in all four years of his eligibility and was one of only seven CIGNA employees to earn a 15 Year Gold Circle Qualifier Award. He also served as the Sector Head of The United Way - Hartford, served on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Opera Association, and was in the Presidents Club for the March of Dimes. After retirement in 1999, Owen enjoyed life in Charlottesville with all of his many friends and family in Virginia and around the country. Owen served as President of the Alpha Home Association for his beloved Chi Phi fraternity and served as President of the Fraternity Alumni Council at the University of Virginia. Owen was also a partner in Marchfore Racing Ventures and was an avid supporter of UVa athletics, remaining a true Hoo at many football, baseball, and basketball games. He was VERY funny and loved telling stories to his treasured granddaughters. A memorial service officiated by the Reverend Dr. Ann Willms is planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at St. Paul's Memorial Church, 1700 University Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22903, with a reception to follow. Teague Funeral Home is supporting memorial arrangements. Owen is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Susan Parry. He is also survived by his loving mother, Virginia; his brother, David; his son, Brian and Brian's wife, Nancy; daughter, Allison and Allison's husband, Derek; former son-in-law and dear friend, Joe; as well as beloved grandchildren Megan, Morgan, and Haley.

On his wife's side, Owen is survived by his brother-in-law, Tom, and Tom's wife, Gail; as well as brother-in-law Jerry and Jerry's wife, Mary Clare. He is also survived by many of his loving brothers from Chi Phi, who were like family to him. Memorial donations may be made to Chi Phi Educational Trust - Parry Scholarship Fund, c/o The Chi Phi Fraternity, 1160 Satellite Boulevard, Suwannee, GA 30024. Owen was predeceased by his father, Teddy; and brother, William. Owen joins several of his Chi Phi brothers in the Chapter Eternal, where he has likely already begun organizing chapter activities.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.