- Date Of Birth: June 15, 1932
- Date Of Death: May 12, 2011
- State: Michigan
Paul D. Parrish, Sr., 78, of Cassopolis, died Thursday, May 12, 2011 in Venice, Florida. He was born June 15, 1932 in Kalamazoo County, Michigan to Ernest and Areta (Hotrum) Parrish. At the young age of 9, Paul, his brothers and parents moved to rural Vandalia, Michigan in Cass County. It was a hard life in the country. He married Janet Heslet on May 18, 1957 in Vandalia.
He served his country in the Korean War, in combat the entire time. Upon returning home, he started Cass Taxi Service with Phil Waldo. He and Janet owned Paul’s Mobile Service Station in Vandalia, Cass New and Used, Cass Trading Post, Cass Auction House, Kamp Kozy Camper Sales. He helped start Cass County F.O.P. and co-owned Jan’s House of Stuff. He was also active with the Boy Scouts of America and a part time farmer.Paul served Cass County for 35 years as a deputy of the Cass County Sheriff Department, serving the last four as Sheriff of Cass County.
He was also a member of the William E. Lozier VFW Post #10704. He retired in 1992 at the age of 60. (That’s a laugh.) He has helped with farming, has done much handy man work and many estate sales. No sitting down for him. He was a born sales person. On a personal note, Paul had a great faith in God and our Lord Jesus Christ. He served as a leader in many ways, including as an Elder at Englewood East Church of Christ in Englewood, Florida, and at Pleasant View Church of Christ in Cassopolis. He loved hugging and encouraging others. He had a great impact on many people’s lives.Paul and Janet spent the last 18 years wintering and serving in Englewood, Florida as their “seasonal residence”.
Paul was a great communicator and listener. Paul is survived by his wife of 53 loving years, Janet Parrish of Cassopolis; four sons and four daughter-in-laws, Paul and Helen Parrish, Jr. of Jones, E. James and Terri Parrish of Edwardsburg, Lyndon and Debra Parrish of Cassopolis, and Terry and Jennifer Parrish of Cassopolis; two brothers, Wilbur (Joyce) Parrish of Fresno, California, and Andrew (Elaine) Parrish of Niles; four grandsons, Jonathan, Jared, Aaron and Joseph Parrish, two granddaughters, Gabraelle and Carly Parrish and one great granddaughter, Londyn Parrish, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Steven Parrish, in April of this year.
