James Leonard Parrish

He leaves his wife of 59 years, Sylvia (Spies) Parrish; his daughter Elizabeth (Becky) Elizondo and her husband Victor; his son Scott Parrish; grandchildren Misty Elizondo Kaufman (husband, Matthew Kaufman) and Kristine Elizondo Hatch (husband, Harold Hatch). James was blessed to know three great grandchildren, James Everett Kaufman, Quinten Elizondo Hatch and Alister Elizondo Hatch.

James was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He was raised by his beloved paternal grandmother, Lenora Hazel Parrish, and a great aunt, Ethel Coleman, equally beloved.

James met his wife at his Roosevelt High School senior prom in 1956. They were married on June 20, 1959 at St. Gabriel Church in St. Louis.

James served in the U. S. Army and Army Reserve National Guard and was discharged in 1964.

He began his career in Industrial Radiology at Nooter Corporation. He moved to McDonnell Douglas Corporation and worked on the Mercury spacecraft and all of the Gemini capsules. He met many astronauts and told amazing stories about this time in his life. He began work at FM Global in 1965 as a Boiler and Machinery pressure vessel inspector using his radiology training. James retired from this company as Chief Inspector and Group Manager Field Engineering after 33 years of service. After retirement, James and Sylvia traveled often and saw countries around the globe, until health became an issue and travel too difficult. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and friends.