David Randall Parrish

Believer, Husband, Father, Pop

Randy closed his eyes on July 4, 2026, and opened them in the immediate presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was greeted at the gates of heaven with the warmest hug from his first-born son, Seth Andrew Parrish.

He was born on April 1, 1962, in Memphis, Tennessee, the fifth of six children born to John Gilbert and Jannis Parrish. Few people were better at bringing laughter into a room. Randy had a gift for finding humor in almost any situation, usually through a perfectly timed comment, relentless teasing, or a nickname that somehow managed to stick for life.

Randy attended Briarcrest High School, where he excelled in football, track and field - setting records in the long jump. Though he had great athletic accomplishments, they paled in comparison to his greatest one: finding the love of his life, Lynn Parrish.

Randy and Lynn’s marriage was a beautiful testimony to God’s gift of marriage. They recently celebrated 44 years together, living out their vows in sickness and in health. Together they raised three boys — Seth, Ben and John — in a home filled with laughter, faith and their father’s constant teasing. His love for his sons was steady and unmistakable. Sometimes it came as encouragement, sometimes as tough love, and often as wisdom wrapped in humor, but it was always present.

Though Randy and Lynn were grateful for their three boys, they had always longed for a girl in the mix. God eventually gave them that gift through five granddaughters - Sophie, Ellie, Ruth, Laila and another little girl soon to be born. In 2019, we all got to watch Randy evolve into his greatest form with the birth of his first granddaughter, Sophie. He spent nearly every weekend of the last seven years at his lake house playing dress-up, hide-and-seek, dolls and snuggling on the couch with her.

Randy dedicated most of his career to food and beverage packaging, spending his last 15 years at Huhtamaki Corporation in contract management.

More than anything, Randy was a faithful follower of Christ. He was a man of deep conviction, steady wisdom, and sincere love for people. He did not simply talk about his faith; he lived it in his marriage, his family, his friendships, his work and his church.

Randy was a founding member of Christ Community Baptist Church in Collierville, TN, where the earliest Sunday and Wednesday services were held in the Parrish family living room with baptisms in their pool.

He was obedient to our Lord throughout his life, and God gave him the spiritual gift of evangelism. For over thirty years, God used Randy to share the Gospel with others through People Sharing Jesus Ministries, alongside one of his closest friends, Dr. Bill Darnell.

Though we deeply mourn the loss of the anchor of our family, we hold firmly to God’s promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”

John 11:25–26

Visitation is on Friday, July 10th from 11:00 – 1:00

The celebration of Randy’s life will begin at 1:00 pm

Christ Community Baptist Church

850 Peterson Lake

Collierville, TN 38017

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to:

Adult Teen Challenge TN Valley

1450 Florence Rd.

Savannah, TN

TVteenchallenge.net