James Eddy Parrish

James Eddy “Ed” Parrish, 74, of Millersport, Ohio, passed away on October 5, 2026, at Pickerington Methodist Hospital. Ed was born on June 12, 1952, in Lancaster, Ohio to the late Charles G and Helen Lucille (Alten) Parrish. Ed was a 1970 graduate of Lakewood High School and received a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from The Ohio State University in 1974. While at Ohio State, Ed was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, where he served as treasurer and social chairman. He also served as treasurer for the Undergraduate Student Government. Ed was a member of Sphinx, a senior academic honorary, and was recognized as one of the five outstanding seniors in the College of Agriculture.

After graduating from Ohio State, Ed returned home to the family farm in Hebron and began his farming career which lasted over 52 years. He turned a small family farm of a few hundred acres into a thriving operation of thousands of acres and more than a dozen employees.

Ed and his wife Kathy traveled together to six continents, and in recent years split their time between Naples, Florida and Ohio.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Kathy; his son, Eric; his brother, Mark (Peggy) Parrish; his mother-in-law, Nancy Breece; and his brothers-in-law, Scott (Andrea) Breece and Brad (Laura) Breece, in addition to many nephews, nieces, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph; his parents; his brother, Charles Gilbert Parrish Jr.; and his father-in-law, Blair Breece.

Private services for Ed have been conducted through the HALTEMAN-FETT & DYER FUNERAL HOME.

Donations payable in Ed’s memory may be made to the Licking County 4-H Committee, 771 East Main St. Suite 103, Newark, Ohio 43055.