Harlan Estes Parrish, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 29, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 17, 1927, in Bradenton, Florida and raised in Parrish, Florida, the town named after his great-grandfather, Crawford Parrish. Harlan attended Palmetto High School.
As a beloved son, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Harlan acquired vast achievements and forever pursued many interests. He was a man’s MAN! When you met him, you wouldn’t forget him. Courageous, strong-willed, highly opinionated, witty, positive, thoughtful, resilient, talented, a doer, a great listener, and profound storyteller. Overall, a truly intriguing man.
In 1947, while working for the Florida Highway Patrol, Harlan met strong-willed and beautiful Ella Conyer on a blind date in Sarasota, Florida. They married on August 7, 1948 in Miami, Florida. Through good times and bad, grace and grit, their marriage had endured. The couple had been looking forward to celebrating their lasting love with a 70th wedding anniversary in August 2018.
Throughout his long life, Harlan embraced life to the fullest, which he certainly proved time and again! From his childhood years wandering the mosquito and alligator-infested Manatee County swamps with a fishing pole in hand to a confident seventeen-year-old joining the Navy and serving in Shanghai, China during World War II. Then onward, it was after the Navy, between 1947-1950, he joined the Florida Highway Patrol. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving in Puerto Rico, Panama, and various air bases throughout the United States.
While enlisted in the Air Force, Harlan served as a member of the Military Airlift Command where he was a Flight Examiner Loadmaster on C-130s, C-141s, and C-5As. During this time, he conducted flying assignments throughout South America and other countries. Additionally, more feats included nearly 500 successful missions during the Vietnam War.
Throughout Harlan’s exemplary service of twenty years with the Air Force, he had earned a flurry of countless honorary medals for courage while serving in both World War II and Vietnam. In addition, awarded three Air Medals, two Bronze Stars, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
In 1971, he retired as a Technical Sergeant from Norton A.F.B. in California. Five years later, Harlan and family moved to Yakima, Washington. And soon thereafter, worked for the Department of Energy at the Hanford Site Nuclear Reservation as a member of the Hanford Patrol Unit. Harlan was a Lieutenant Shift Supervisor for Company “A”. He was also a member of the TRT (Tactical Response Team) for Hanford Patrol.
In his retirement years, Harlan found more time to enjoy his many interests and hobbies such as collecting, hunting, fishing, travel, and joyful times with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In Harlan’s final days of ill-health, when asked are you comfortable? He would reply: “I’m about as comfortable as a rock in a shoe.” He had fought with vigor to the very end. Without a doubt, he was a man steadfast in love of country, wife, and children. And for us, he’ll be forever loved. Forever our Hero!
Son of Marcus K. Parrish & Edna C. Estes, brother Kenneth; he is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Ella Conyer Parrish; children: Claire (John) Wittman, Pete (Leslie) Parrish, Kenneth (Emma) Parrish, June (Don) Cookson, and Dianne (Kenny) Read; grandchildren: (Wesley, William, Christopher) Parrish; Nicholas Wittman, and Nicole Jorgensen; great grandchildren: Greyson (William & Kristen Parrish); Rya & Savannah (Wesley Parrish).
The family would like to especially thank Hospice, including staff and the volunteers at Cottage In The Meadow for their loving care during Harlan’s time there.
Military Honors Services will be held on Saturday, April 21 at Rainier Memorial Center in Yakima, Washington. There will be Visitation 11:00-1:00 p.m.; Celebration of Life 1:00 p.m.; gathering of family & friends 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Please consider sharing fond memories and sympathies for Harlan at dignitymemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars and/or American Legion. Harlan’s family would be most appreciative.
Funeral services arranged by Keith & Keith Funeral Home.
