Donald Milton Parrish

Parrish, Donald M. 73, died Tuesday, July 12 of brain cancer. In his final hours, Don was supported by his loving family, friends, and the music of Mozart, Vivaldi, and Don’s brother, Paul. Don was the eldest son of Milton and Irene Elizabeth Parrish and, along with his two brothers, spent his early life in Redford, Farmington and Walled Lake, Michigan. After graduation from Walled Lake High School, Don attended the University of Detroit and the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music and was a proud member of the Michigan Marching Band. Don’s wonderfully successful career as a music educator found him teaching junior high band in Walled Lake, band and orchestra in Ann Arbor at the elementary, junior and senior high level and developing a vibrant string program at the Dexter Community Schools. He was also a founding member, and conductor of the Dexter Community Orchestra. In addition to his many years in music education, Don was a discriminating antique collector and dealer who traveled throughout the United States and Europe in search of quality antiquities. He also built dozens of beautifully crafted, custom homes in the Ann Arbor area, designed in the style of 18th Century New England dwellings. Don is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sally (Watt), his children, Susan Push (Tony), Mark (Brooke) and Steven, his brothers, David (Mary) and Paul , grandchildren, Ashley, Jacob and Rayna , his nephews, Christopher, Michael , Nathan and Aron, and his brother-in-law, Terry Watt. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Friday, July 15 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 2:30 -3:30. Family and friends will then proceed to St. Mary Student Parish for a Mass of Christian burial at 4:00p.m. Memorials may be offered to Dexter Community Orchestra P.O. Box 331 Dexter, MI 48130 or the Department of Neuro-oncolagy at the University of Michigan1500 E. Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109. A special Memorial Concert in Don’s honor is being planned for a later date. Donald Parrish was a kind, gentle, dedicated, loving man whose gifts of music, personal integrity, and grace will remain with his family, friends and thousands of former students through eternity. In many ways, he was a “master builder” and craftsman whose positive contributions to family, friends, professions, community and church were remarkable. We are all better people because of the time Don was given to share his life with us on this earth. Cancer may have defeated his body, but Don truly “won” the struggle, because nothing can alter the “life” and legacy he has left behind. Arrangements under the direction of Muehlig Funeral Chapel, Ann Arbor, MI.