Thomas Conquest Parry Jr.

Thomas Conquest Parry, Jr., 83, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Baptist Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Visitation for family and friends will be at the church at 10:00 a.m.

Tom was born on March 17, 1928, in Moultrie, GA to Thomas C. and Juanita Moore Parry. After graduation from Moultrie High School, where he was President of the student body, he attended University of Kentucky on a trumpet scholarship and graduated from University of Georgia, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

His military duty in the Korean Conflict was served in Busan as Director of the Sixth division Army band.

He became associated with Mississippi Chemical Corporation in 1955. He served as Vice President of Finance, Executive Vice President, and was named CEO in 1973. He served as CEO for 20 years until his retirement. Under Tom’s leadership, Mississippi Chemical earned cumulative profits of $500 million dollars, and annual sales and assets tripled. He was instrumental in acquisition and development of mines and plants in many parts of the country. He served on boards of many professional and community organizations, including The Fertilizer Institute, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Bank of Yazoo City, Farm Credit Bank, Mississippi Arts Association, Mississippi Economic Council, and Public Education Forum of Mississippi. The Tom C. Parry Journalism Scholarship was established at the Mississippi Press Association, and Mr. Parry was recognized in 1990 by Mississippi Business Journal as a Captain of Industry.

Tom was an avid sports fan as well as accomplished chef. He enjoyed time in Destin and at his land in Flora with his family and friends.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Ridgeland and an associate member of Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, Florida. Tom loved and served the Lord throughout his life.

Tom is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy McNeil Parry, his daughter Wilma VanLandingham (Paul), sons Tom Parry III (Betty) and Dr. Wilson Parry (Lauren), brother Louis Parry (Joyce), grandchildren Dr. Matthew VanLandingham (Lauren), Parry VanLandingham, Neil VanLandingham, Daniel Parry, Joe Parry, Elizabeth Wilks Parry, Grace Parry, and Virginia Parry, and niece Tiffany Kelly (Stephen) . His gifts of integrity, kindness, and generosity were shared with those he knew both personally and professionally. The family would like to thank caregiver Pat Devitt and the doctors and nurses at Baptist ICU.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Anglican Church Building Fund, 604 Goodridge Dr., Ridgeland MS 39157 or Immanuel Anglican Church, 250 Indian Bayou Trail, Destin FL 32547.