Lawrence Alan Parrish

Al Parrish (Lawrence Alan Parrish), 86, passed away January 14, 2026, leaving the world a lot less bright and definitely less fun.

Born January 28, 1939, in Louisville to Lawrence and Mildred Parrish, Al was the second oldest of 13 children. As a boy, he learned the value of hard work, holding countless jobs from cutting grass and pumping gas, to delivering ice, riding an advertisement bike for Highland Cycle for 50 cents a day, and returning soda bottles for 2 cents a bottle. He graduated from the University of Louisville in three years while being employed full time at Kroger, establishing a work ethic that defined his life.

Al joined the Air Force specializing in photo reconnaissance and in 1961, while stationed in Denver, eloped with his high school sweetheart Barbara Schlipf Parrish. After living in Chicago for two years, they returned to Louisville to start a family and build a life grounded in faith, family, and service.

Following a successful career as Production Manager at the Kentucky Ford Truck Plant, in retirement Al became legendary for his fundraising efforts, beginning with the school his children attended, Ballard High. He raised money to send the choir to Vienna to compete in an international competition- which they won- and collected enough funds in the one-week deadline given for them to travel to President Clinton's 1993 inauguration to sing on the Capitol steps, using innovative concepts of his creation, such as a large-scale mulch fundraiser- ideas that are still being used by schools today. He also worked tirelessly on getting a Fine Arts Auditorium for Ballard.

In 1993, Al was asked to come to the University of Louisville Athletic Department to work for what was meant to be a 16-week, 15-million-dollar fundraising project to gauge support for a new football stadium. The 16 weeks became ten joyful years, with Al helping turn the dream of a new stadium into reality, and making great friends, some of whom are like family.

The "Purina silos" story was a favorite of Al's. After years of telling his children the silos off I-65 could perfectly spell out UofL, he made it happen, literally turning them into a massive University of Louisville billboard. He pulled the $1.00 bill from his wallet to "rent" the silos for the University.

He later founded The Parrish House, a beloved tailgating tradition near the stadium that he described as a "club for guys who never had a treehouse" where they gathered to transform an old auto garage into a tailgating haven, forging lifelong friendships while eating donuts and hammering nails. Known for friendship, generosity, and community service, they also hosted Fort Knox soldiers and children with cerebral palsy at UofL games for many years. He was honored to have been selected as the University of Louisville Alumnus of the Year in 2014.

Though tough on the outside, Al was deeply tenderhearted and quick to help anyone in need. He was a great dad, always supporting his children's interests and took joy in hosting their friends at the house growing up. He was at every baseball game and dance recital of his grandchildren, cheering loudly. He was always the first to plan a party, and he continued bringing people together until his passing, organizing countless trips and watch parties, football tailgates, weekly Friday night dinners with 20 friends, and monthly "Board of Directors'" breakfasts with the former Parrish House work crew. Life was simply more fun with Al in it.

Al was a charter member of Calvin Presbyterian Church, along with his wife Barbara. In 1993, they became members at Southeast Christian Church, where Barbara served as greeter and Al served as usher for many years.

Al was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Schlipf Parrish in 2019; his parents; his siblings Jimmy, Bobby, Dorothy, Jean and Gary; in-laws Dick and Cynthia Schlipf and Pat Garry; and his best friend since the second grade, Kenny Lanham.

He is survived by his son David Parrish (Melissa Haeberlin Parrish), daughter Janet Parrish, and the lights of his life-his grandchildren Nick and Leah Parrish. He is also survived by siblings and in-laws Glen Ann Pinchbeck, Mary Garry, Margie Butler, Jeff Grant, Kitsy Parrish, Kevin and Abby Parrish, Karen and Harlan Yeager, Keith Parrish, Paul Parrish, nieces and nephews, more friends than anyone could ever be blessed to have, and the world's best boy, his beloved dog Jeb.

DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FORECAST, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED:

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2nd at Chapel in the Woods, 1407 Moser Road. A Visitation for all who knew Al will be held Sunday, February 1st from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at The PNC Club, inside the L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium (up the elevators at Gate 2 on the East side of the UL Football Stadium), 2550 S. Floyd Street, a place of great joy and meaning for Al and his friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Family & Children's Place (familyandchildrensplace.org), the University of Louisville Scholarship Fund or Cardinal Athletic Fund, Southeast Christian Church, or a charity close to your heart. We also request that you spend time with your loved ones and do so in honor of Al, who cherished his times with friends and family. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, and we will remember and miss him forever.