Richard William Parry

Richard William Parry

December 15, 1935 – January 16, 2019

Richard William Parry of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away in the early morning hours of January 16, 2019.  Born on December 15, 1935 in Quincy, Massachusetts the fifth child of Percy and Charlotte Parry, he cherished his family and Welsh/Scottish heritage.

He was a Korean era war veteran stationed with the US Army in Germany as a radio operator specialist. He received a good conduct and national defense service medal.

He graduated from Eastern Nazarene College in Wollaston, MA, where his graduating class motto was “to serve the present age.” He lived this out in his lifetime goal “to reach the hearts and minds of young people.”  During his college years, he was the baritone in a quartet and it was at one of their performances that he saw a beautiful woman in a blue hat in the audience that he had to meet.  Her name was Marsha Hunter and she would become his wife and friend of 60 years.  Starting life together on June 13, 1958, shared faith and a commitment to education and serving others took them on a journey to more than twelve states including North Carolina, New York, South Dakota, Mississippi and Arizona.  After his undergraduate degree in education, as a husband and father, he completed a degree in Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary, earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Glassboro Teachers College, and post graduate Education Specialist degree from the University of Arizona.

He proudly followed in his father’s footsteps to become a Master Mason, being a 46th year Mason with the Evening Star Lodge #70 of Rankin County, MS.  He was a member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite and was a Shriner. The Parry Masonic Legacy continues with his oldest son.

He retired as Superintendent of Schools for the Bonesteel-Fairfax School District in South Dakota, where he was instrumental in affecting positive legislation for Impact Aid. Richard and Marsha relocated to Omaha, NE in 1994.  An Elder for Covenant Presbyterian Church, he taught Theology at a Seminary in Nicaragua and traveled to the Holy Land.  Richard and Marsha fulfilled life-long dreams of travel throughout Europe.  As grandchildren arrived, he unofficially opened Grampy’s daycare.  Cheering his Boston Red Sox on to multiple World Series Championships was his favorite pastime.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gordon; and sisters, Shirley and Lorna.  He is survived by his sister, Audrey, his loving wife, Marsha, his sons: Mark Parry, Glenn Parry (Mary), and Gordon Parry (Jane); and daughter, Monica Katz (Gary), ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 20^th from 2pm to 4pm at the West Center Chapel. Visitation Monday, Jan 21^st at 10am, FUNERAL SERVICE at 11am all at West Center Chapel. He will be laid to rest with military honors by Benson VFW Post 2503, at Omaha National Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Nebraska Humane Society and Shriners’ Hospitals for Children.