John R. Parrish Jr.

John R. Parrish, Jr. "Pops" (80), a good man, died February 2, 2025. John was born January 17, 1945 in Tampa, FL, to Kathryn Riddle Parrish and John R. Parrish, Sr. He was a Tampa native and lived all of his life in South Tampa and at “The Lake Place” in Odessa. He was in the Army Reserve and a Shriner. Prior to his retirement, John worked in the grocery business, at Kwik Chek/Winn Dixie, Kash n’ Karry and as a sales representative for various food brokers.

John is survived by his dear lady friend Mary Alice Edgar; his sisters, Joan (John) McClarney and Carolyn (Tim) Diehl; his children, John (Eileen) Youngcourt, Victoria Bergeron (Dan McLemore), Karen Youngcourt (Carol Considine); 7 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; hordes of cousins, nieces and nephews; and lifetime best friends, Jimmy Lee and Harry Leasure. He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life and wife Joy Parrish; and sisters, Mary Kay Parrish and Sara Nosti; sister-in-law Alice Wallace and brothers-in law Ken Monska, Dick Nosti and Bobby Wallace.

John will be remembered by everyone who knew him as generous, a loyal friend and a kind, loving man who delighted in pulling pranks and jokes on unsuspecting folks. He was an avid coin collector, enjoyed Sudoku (used a pen!), card games and dominoes, was a four-time checker champion and cherished the outdoors, especially around the water. He adored children and animals—there wasn’t a child, cat, dog, bird or squirrel who didn’t gravitate toward him. John, a truly good man, will be missed by all who had the privilege and honor to know him.

Visitation is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. with services to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 13th, at Blount & Curry Life Event Center, 605 S. MacDill Ave, Tampa. Burial will follow at Myrtle Hill Cemetery.