Born on May 29,1950 in Rochester, Pennsylvania, the son of late Homer Hamilton Parrish and Bertha (Betty) Mae Meredith Parrish of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.
As a young boy, he was always ready to help on his father’s farm. Before going to school, he finishes his chores on the farm. He likely became his dad’s right hand and “favorite.”
Norman graduated from Hopewell High School in Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the military (US Armed Forces – Army) in 1968 during the Vietnam War as a combat soldier. He had two tours fighting in Vietnam. After the Vietnam War, he pursued his military career. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. He was a Paratrooper 82nd Airborne Division. He was among the soldiers who sieged Grenada. He loved being in the military and he would tell the family stories about his experiences. From a Private, a Sergeant First Class, a Staff Sergeant, he rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer3 (CWO3). Norman used to say, he was the “boss” in maintaining our military equipment. He was involved with the missile Patriot Project. Norman and his staff went to Kuwait and Iraq during Desert Storm and Desert Freedom carrying with them the military equipment.
After 24 and ½ years of dedicated service in the US Armed Forces, Norman retired in 1992. As a civilian, he was hired overseas in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve on The Royal Saudi Land Forces Bradley Fighting Vehicle Project in 1995. He stayed for 10 years then returned to the United States and settled with his family in Houston, Texas. While in Houston, Norman earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology. Again, he went to Iraq for an overseas employment under KBR in 2005 and returned home in 2006. In 2009, he travelled to Taiwan, Republic of China to work on the military project under Raytheon. After 2 years with Raytheon, he finally returned home (Houston, Texas) and retired in 2011.
Norman is family - oriented, He is loving, generous and kind. He loves quiet and peaceful surroundings. He loves the family’s pet dogs, Biko (deceased), Taylor (deceased), Maki, and Punski. He is well – loved by his family, siblings, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces.
Aside from his parents, Homer and Betty, Norman is preceded in death by his sisters: Norma Jean Alimena, Sarah Kane, Helen Bryant and his brothers: Lawrence (Sonny) and Raymond (Pete) of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.
Norman is survived by his wife, Alexis Parrish, (of Houston, Texas) in marriage for 27 years. Children: Anjali Guevarra, Astrud Bolish (spouse William Raymond III), Aaron Guevarra (wife Pamela), Norman Lee Parrish, Jr. (wife Lily). Grandsons: Bryan Parrish, Gael (Kelloggs) Garcia Fernandez, Joshua To-Ong. Nephews and nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.
Norman is survived by his sisters and brothers of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania: Leona Daniels, Irene Monter, Mary Ann Fazikas (spouse John), Loreta Parrish, Vesta Vickodil, Lee Parrish, Homer (Butch) Parrish, Glenn Parrish (wife Mary), nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, great grandnephews, great grandnieces.
The Parrish Family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Nima Aghili, Dr. John Altman, Dr. Brendan Clark, Dr. Jennifer Wink, and the nursing staff of St. Anthony Hospital, Lakewood, Colorado. Special thanks to the Cardiac ICU and nursing staff of Houston Methodist Walter Tower. Special thanks to MD Anderson Cancer Prevention Dermatology staff. Special thanks to the Wareing and Wheless Family. Special thanks to Sejla (Shayla) Bekric.
A very special thanks to Ms. Karen Whitmore-Radford, Clinical Administrative Director and Ms. Candace McCain, Nurse Manager of Cancer Prevention Center, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center for their unwavering LOVE, kindness, support and understanding. To ALL the friends and colleagues who in one way or the other were there for us during our challenging days.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS!
Dad, Sweetie, Bub/Bubby, Daddy Norm, Uncle Norm, Uncle Bub, Grandpa will be missed deeply by his family. You will always be forever in our hearts. We love you very much!
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