He was 68.
Known as “Big Gary” to some and as “Papa” to his grandchildren, Gary was born to Albert and Jewel Parrish on February 27, 1955 in Memphis. He played football, ran track and graduated from Southaven High School in 1973. He spent much of his life working for Kroger and Empire Foods before retirement. He coached his sons in baseball and soccer and answered every “How are you?” with “I’ve never had it so good.”
Gary is survived by his wife, Karen, and three sons, Gary Jr., Tony and Austin. He is also survived by three daughters-in-law, Kelly, Dana and Anna, eight grandchildren, Brieana, Breannah, Brooklynn, Aiden, Oliver, Louis, Ethan and Rylee, and one great granddaughter, Ivy. Gary was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Jewel, and his brother, Terry.
Aside from his love of being a grandfather, Gary loved telling jokes, doing magic tricks, entertaining old friends, making new ones and going on walks with his dog, Cooper. If you bumped into him, the first words you would hear were always, “Tell me something good.”
Gary’s family will host a funeral on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch, Miss. Visitation is at 12:30 p.m. The funeral will begin at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association in Gary’s name.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brantleyfuneral.com for the Parrish family.
