for him with open arms to spend their eternal life together in heaven.
Granville Lewis Parrish, also known as Granny, Lew or Papa, was born on Feb 12, 1929
in Yakima, Wa. to Randall N. Parrish and Jennie E. (Judd) Parrish. He grew up and
attended school in Yakima and graduated from Yakima High School in 1947.
In Lew's early years, his mother encouraged him to play the piano along with his two
brothers. Over time they developed into a trio, all playing the piano at the same time!
They were the only trio in Yakima so they had requests to play for many years. Later he
played trombone in the Franklin and Yakima High bands.
At the age of 12 he joined the Boy Scouts achieving his Eagle rank at the young age
of 14. He particularly enjoyed the summer months at Camp Fife. After graduating from
High School he enrolled in Yakima Valley College.
During the Korean war, Lew served in the Coast Guard for 3 years. While in the service
on Aug 29th, 1951 he married the love of his life, Patricia Fortier. After his discharge he
enrolled in the University of Washington and 3 years later he received his Bachelor of
Arts Degree in Business. He was then employed as an Underwriter and Sales
Representative for several Insurance Companies in Seattle.
In 1964 Lew was transferred back to Yakima as a branch manager for American States
Insurance Co. 2 years later he resigned from this position and entered the Independent
Insurance Agency business as an agent and broker. Lew retired from Gress-Kinney-
Parrish Insurance Center in 1994.
Lew always enjoyed sports and coached several 4-6th grade basketball and baseball
teams. He was a Board Member for the Yakima Valley Grid Kids Association. Lew was
also very active with Carroll High School and was President of the Booster Club. He
was a real sports fan, following all the local teams, an ardent supporter of the Huskies,
Mariners and Seahawks. Dad will be watching the Super Bowl in Heaven!
Go Hawks!
In 1978 Lew and Pat bought lake front property at Lake Mayfield, near Mossyrock,Wa.
Here they spent many weekends and vacations building their "Get Away Home". When
completed he marveled that he still had all his fingers!
Lew had varied interests but his two passions were his family and "The Lake". He and
Pat followed all the activities of their children and grandchildren. Sports wise, they
missed very few ball games, track meets and on occasions flew to Los Angeles to watch
their granddaughter's swim meets. He looked forward to the holidays when all the family
would gather together at either the Yakima home or the Lake house. To share a memory of Lew, visit www.keithandkeith.com.
If Papa was not home, you were sure to find him at the Lake. He enjoyed being in the
boat watching his grandchildren skiing, knee boarding and tubing. His job was to raise
the red flag to alert other boaters that one of the kids had just wiped out.
Lew was proceeded in death by his parents, Randall and Jennie Parrish, Wife of 58
years, Patricia, older brother- , Norwood and Colleen Parrish from Kent Wa. Sister in
Law Mary Lou Walker, Seattle, Wa. Survivors included younger brother Ed Parrish and
wife Joyce, Kent, Wa. Sons David (Sylvia) Parrish, Los Angeles, Ca., Richard
(Teresa) Parrish, Richland, Wa. Doug (Dianne) Parrish, Yakima. Six grandchildren,
Nicole, Jeremy, Jessica, Julia, Andrew and Ashley. Brother and Sister in Law's Bob and
Grace Fortier ,Seattle, Bob and Charlotte Walker, Seattle, Art and Joanne Marsh,
Yakima. Numerous nephews and nieces.
Last but not least our family would like to give a special thank you to long time
neighbors, Dr. Peter and Beth Harveson for all the love and kindness you showed
Mom and Dad over the years. God Bless you both.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of American, Northwest Chapter, 9 Lake Bellevue Dr. Suite 203, Bellevue, WA. 98005.
A Vigil service will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church Chapel on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church on Monday, February 10, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a reception.
A private family committal service will be held at Calvary Cemetery.
nder the direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.
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