John Marshall Parrish was born in Blountstown, Florida on February 18, 1924 to Charles and Isabell Parrish. His grandfather Wiley Parrish settled in Florida in 1803.
He served with the 109th Infantry Division (The Golden Lions) during WWII, surviving the Battle of the Bulge as well as campaigns in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe, receiving several declarations and citations for his service.
He worked for Foremost Dairies as Regional Manager in Ft. Myers Florida for twenty-five years. He later owned and operated a laundry and dry cleaning business in Leesburg and Ft. Myers Florida. He retired in 1987 and moved to Newberry Florida to live closer to family. He was a Baptist and served as a deacon in his church.
Mr. Parrish is preceded in death by his first wife Doris, and wife Jane and daughter, Anita Gayle Goodfellow. He is survived by a son Charles Parrish (Sharon) of Newberry, Florida; grandson Matthew, granddaughter, Monica Jenkins (Paul) of Coral Springs, Florida and great-granddaughter, Tabitha Jenkins.
He was an avid fisherman, bowler, gardener and bird-watcher and an avid Florida Gator Fan. He passed away peacefully with family members at his bedside on March 25, 2014 after a long illness. He will be missed.
Graveside Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, March 31, 2014 at Forest Meadows Memorial Park West, 700 NW 143rd Street (CR 241) with Pastor Tommy Sumner officiating.
Please make donations in his memory to Haven Hospice. Arrangements are in the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home (352) 378-2528.
