Nelson M. Parrish

Nelson McKay Parrish was born in Coral Gables, Florida on July 18th, 1941. He and his parents, Issac Parrish III and Helen Shelkofsky-Parrish, lived in Coral Gables. He attended Seacrest High School in Delray Beach.

Nelson enlisted in the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. After completing Boot Camp, he was trained as a Field Radio Operator. Subsequently, he completed his training as a Special Forces Operator, with additional training in explosives, electronics, and advanced parachute techniques. Nelson was chosen to do special parachute testing, including the early parasails, along with advanced “man carry classified ordinance” and airborne delivery. He served his country honorably before returning to civilian life.

Nelson loved the United States of America and was an active member of the Army’s Special Forces Association, Florida Treasure Coast Chapter eight-five. He kept himself busy with the local ROTC and had the boots he is now wearing shined and prepared for an event he had not attended before his hospitalization.

Nelson continued with parachuting/skydiving well after leaving the military, including many water landings. He also became a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain. He was an adventurer and took flying lessons, hunted snakes, and taught Scuba Diving. He received vocational training as an electrical technician. Nelson worked for RCA for decades. From his youth through adulthood, he rode motorcycles with his lifelong friend, Al Klatt. They were known for getting into mischief while they were single and continued to do so in their respective marriages. The Parrish and Klatt families will remain forever intertwined.

Nelson met Patricia “Pat” Purcell in 1969, and they dated for two years before getting married on May 1st, 1971. They were a loving couple for forty-seven years, until Pat passed away in 2018. Nelson and Pat enjoyed going to the Bahamas in their boats (Reel Magic One and Reel Magic Two) over the years. Nelson, Al Klatt, Dave Culpepper, Skip Moore, and most of his buddies made trips once or twice a year. The islands of the Bahamas were their second home, and they knew all their favorite lobster holes. There are many untold stories of their adventures. Nelson and Pat traveled the United States (excluding Hawaii) and Canada in the many motorhomes they had acquired over the years.

Nelson is survived by his daughter, Paula Neal, son-in-law, Garfield “Gary” Neal, and his grandsons, Garfield “Anthony” Neal II and Jade “Jay” Neal, his sister, Linda Henderson, his nephew, Parrish Henderson, and one great-niece, Annabelle Henderson.

He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Pat, his mother, and his father.

Nelson had many friends throughout the United States and Canada, and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Zoom link below for those who are unable to attend:

Topic: Nelson Parrish Memorial

Time: Sep 8, 2025 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82848732512

A visitation for Nelson will be held Monday, September 8, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens, 3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 33461. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM. A committal service will take place at Lake Worth Memory Gardens.