Dr. Lonny Ray Parrish

Dr. Lonny R. Parrish, 92, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, passed away to be with his Lord on January 12, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Lonny was born in LeHigh, Oklahoma to Henry Edgar and Hattie Irvin Parrish on July 15, 1921. He attended school in Schulter, Oklahoma, where he graduated high school in 1939. He went on to earn a BA degree from East Central State College, Ada, Oklahoma majoring in History and Government Education. Lonny also attended the University of Oklahoma where he received his Masters Degree in Secondary School Administration and his Doctorate in General School Administration. His undergraduate work was interrupted when he served three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an Aviation Machinist Mate, First Class. He was attached to U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron PATSU 1-2, and he spent two years in the South Pacific. When he completed his undergraduate degree Lonny took a teaching position in Pleasant Grove School in Seminole County, OK. He served as Principal there from 1948-1955. Following this he advanced to hold the position of Superintendent of Schools in the Dewar, Ringling, Tahlequah, Okmulgee, and Oolagah Public School Systems. Lonny was an active lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church. He was also active and held offices of leadership in many civic and professional organizations including: Who's Who In American Education 1963-1975; Phi Delta Kappa; OEA; NEA; Oklahoma School Administrators; National Association of School Administrators; School Administrators Division of the Eastern Oklahoma O.E.A. District; Program and Planning Committee of The Commission on Teacher Education and Professional Standards for Oklahoma; Fifth-Year Committee of the TEPS Commission; Okmulgee County OEA. He was a member of the Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary Clubs, as well as the Chamber of Commerce. Lonny married his great love, Betty Lou Walker in May 9, 1942. Together they raised five daughters all of whom followed his passion for education and teaching. He excelled in sports including basketball and baseball. He was a great follower of all sports, especially the Oklahoma Sooners. He rarely missed any of his grandchildren's events. He and Betty loved traveling. He was a competitive golfer and an avid fisherman. He remained a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather throughout his life. Lonny was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Avern, Thurman, and T.H. Parrish. He is survived by a sister Jean Bell of Wilburton, OK, and five daughters: Lonnetta Pogue, Ringling, OK; Becky Reed, Okmulgee, OK; Nancy Greene and husband, Richard, of Okmulgee, OK; Marjory Gregory and husband, Larry, of Carlsbad, NM; Jennifer Copeland and husband, Steve, of Oologah, OK; as well as, fourteen Grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Okmulgee. Burial will follow the service at the Okmulgee Cemetery under the direction of the Jackson Funeral Home and Crematory in Okmulgee. Visitation will be Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jackson Funeral Home in Okmulgee. Pallbearers will be Richard Greene, Larry Gregory, Steve Copeland, Charles Pogue, Anthony Eversole, Larry W. Gregory, Dallas Greene, and Josh Copeland. Military Honors will be conducted by the United States Navy and the Patriot Guard Riders.