Rickford Rick Eugene Parratt

Rickford Eugene "Rick" Parratt, 59, of Victoria passed away Thursday, April 8, 2010. He was born October 9, 1950, in Richland, Washington, to Lois Evelyn (Sturdivant) and the late Donald Edgar Parratt.

Rick graduated from Niceville High School in Niceville, Florida, in 1968. In August, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Vietnam Cross Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals, Civil Action Citation with Palm and Frame and was honorably discharged in 1972. Rick attended dental school at Blair College and received a degree in Dental Technology. He met his beautiful bride, Sherry Louise Goodwin, in April 1973 in Garden Grove, California and was married three months later on August 25, 1973. They welcomed their first daughter, Chandra, in April 1975, second daughter, Jessica, in January 1979 and son, Jonathan, in February 1980. He and his wife opened Reliance Dental Laboratory in August 1984 and dedicated 25 years to perfecting his craft and creating quality dental restorations for patients all across Texas. He walked his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days; he pinned his daughter’s Second Lieutenant bars when she was commissioned into the Air Force; he welcomed his son into the family business and took great joy in passing on his legacy; he held in his strong and gentle arms all five of his grandchildren upon their birth; he celebrated 36 years of marriage with the love of his life.

Rick was a teacher, artist, and athlete who loved life and gave generously to all those who knew him. He was honest, loving, hardworking, creative, passionate, friendly, proud, and meticulous. His common sense kept his family grounded. He would tell you the truth even if you didn’t want to hear it, but he couldn’t keep a secret. He loved to make people laugh. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and best friend. In his final years, he found happiness vacationing with his family and friends, working with his son and playing with his grandchildren.

Rick is survived by his wife, Sherry Parratt; daughter, Chandra Longfield and her husband Colin; daughter, Jessica Ladd and her husband Andy; son, Jonathan Parratt with Kim Meisner and her son Caleb; and grandchildren, Camille, Noah, Vaughn, Liam and Elaina. He is also survived by his mother, Evelyn Parratt; sister, Marsha Moore; and brother, Timothy Parratt.

A private family service will be held Sunday, April 11, 2010, at Rosewood Funeral Chapel.

Memorial services will be held at 1 pm Friday, April 16, 2010, at Rosewood Funeral Chapel.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Rosewood Funeral Chapels, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, 361/573-4546, Victoria, Texas, 77904