Paul Allison Parrish

Paul A Parrish, born December 20, 1949 to Carly B and Virginia Bennett Parrish in Sacramento, California, passed from this life on August 20 at 10:48 a.m. with family and friends by his side.

Paul was raised in the early years of his life by his Mother, as his Father died when he was six months old. He and his older brother, Mark, were blessed with a step-dad, Gene White, and he gained a baby brother, Jon. His step-dad died after Jon was born. His Mom married Leroy Cowan and Paul gained an older sister and brother, Carolyn and Joe. Later, a little sister, Jan.

Paul loved playing sports, especially football. He played in college at Northwestern and Harding. He received a bachelor's in Sports and History. He taught at several schools in Texas and then decided to join the Navy. His basic training was in San Diego and schools at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. While on leave, he met the love of his life, Marie Gay. They married in February of 1986 and 4 sons were born to them; Patrick Shane, Keegan Grady, Kierick Gage, and Kelin Leagh.

He retired from the Navy in 2000 and started working for the post office in Oklahoma City. He worked long enough to retire from there. Paul was not one to stay still. He bought a coin shop and couldn't stand to miss a day. He was a member of the Stephens County Coin Club and loved doing the coin shows. Every Friday he had his men's coffee group.

Paul was an active member of the Church of Christ. He worshiped with the Prairie Hill Congregation in Meridian. He had a wonderful bass voice and led singing.

Paul was preceded in death by Virginia and Leroy Cowan, Gene White, Carly Parrish, his brother, Mark, sister, Carolyn, sister-in-law, Lydia Cowan, mother and father-in-law, Alvin and Shirly Gay, sister-in-law, Alice Beaver, and brothers-in-law, Mark Smith and Stephen Slate.

He is survived by Marie Parrish, sons Patrick, Keegan, Kierick, and Kelin, brothers Joe Cowan and Jon White (Doris), sister Jan (Al) Arcidy, brother-in-law Walton Hook, uncles Keith Bennett and Jerry Bennett, a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces, Maggie Smith and Auriel Slate, great-nephews Camden King, Gabriel Slate, and Maxwell Smith, whom he loved dearly. He will forever be P Paul.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Smith, Charlie Gay, Skeeter Citrouski, Ed McGill, Jon White, and Tim Halligan. Honorary pallbearers are Delbert Reed and Ray Dodd.

His care has been entrusted to Carter-Smart Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Sunday, August 24, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm. Services will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Prairie Hill Church of Christ with Mario Pineda presiding. Burial will be family only in Shamrock, Texas.

Military Honors will be provided by Stephens County Honor Guard.