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| John Victor Parish, Jr.
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| NO. 17427 • 4 August 1926 - 9 August 1993
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Died in Huntington Beach, CA
Interred, in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA
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John Victor Parish, Jr. was born to John V. and Helen Hahn Parish in
Youngstown, OH. He attended Bullis Preparatory School for several months
following graduation from South High School in Youngstown, OH, in 1944. He
enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from July to December 1945 and was
appointed to West Point by Representative M.J. Kirwan of the 19th Congressional
District of Ohio. He entered the Academy as a member of the Class of '50.
Jack arrived at the Academy well‑prepared to cope with its
challenges and with a disposition, extensive experience, and the abilities to
help his classmates cope with them too. A generous and gifted person with an
abundance of energy, his never‑failing optimism and good humor were
inspirations that touched us all. And for Jack, humor began with his ability to
laugh (invariably at himself). Those who knew Jack would agree with the 1950
Howitzer, that says of him, "Jack had a habitual good nature and a
friendliness toward all that is very rare. If ever a man needed some timely
assistance, Jack was always ready and quick to help. He was dependable in every
way, and worked hard in studies and athletics. Jack faced life as a sportsman
should. His presence in any outfit or command in the Army will be most
welcome."
As a cadet, Jack seemed to find time for everything,
including a class standing in the top 12% of his class. Corps squad boxing,
lacrosse, and track along with belonging to the Cadet handball, Camera, and Art
Clubs were all part of his interests and activities. Quick intellectually,
articulate,. and widely read, it was common to witness Jack devoting study
periods to reading a novel, composing poetry, or listening to classical music
while his roommates labored to keep up with daily assignments. Following Jack's
discovering Peg Darragh in his third class year, letter writing, dragging, and
occasional trips to New York City impinged even further upon time that most of
us reserved for academics. Long before branch choices were made, it was well
known that Jack would be an Engineer. And, an outstanding Engineer he became.
Jack’s contributions over his entire Army career reflect his most
significant attribute: leadership. Ranging from his first assignment in 1950 as
a second lieutenant platoon leader in the 18th Engineer Combat Battalion in
Germany followed by command of a company as a first lieutenant, to Division
Engineer, Huntsville, AL, he sought leadership positions throughout his career.
Although Jack’s tour as an Army attache at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo from 1958‑60
was a departure from the normal career pattern for an Engineer, he once said
that he must have been an effective, hard‑working, and impartial attache
because he was appreciated by both the Egyptians and the Israelis. In 1967,
while a battalion commander in the OCS command at Ft. Belvoir, he requested
assignment to Vietnam, serving for one year with great distinction as commander
of the 35th Engineer Combat Battalion.
In addition to branch courses, Jack's education included a master of
science in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
study of Arabic at the Defense Language School, Monterey, CA; and the Army War
College.
After retirement from the Army in 1977, Jack joined the Federal Railway
Administration, where he worked on engineering projects for the Northeast
Corridor. After a year and a half, however, separated by the breadth of a
continent from their children and lured by memories of the Pacific Coast, Jack
and Peg decided they were ready for another major change in their lives. Jack
sought employment with Fluor Corporation in California and, when an opportunity
occurred, the Parish family made their last move ‑ to Huntington Beach.
Here, for the next fourteen years, Peg and Jack spent the most satisfying
period of their lives. In 1990, Jack was unexpectedly diagnosed as being in an
advanced stage of cancer. Following a period of treatment and a promising
remission, the cancer recurred. Offered participation in a pilot immunotherapy
program conducted by the National Institutes of Health, Jack accepted. He dealt
with this difficult period in a way true to his character – he joked, for
example, that Max, his German Shepherd, didn’t recognize him any longer.
Mcdications in the experimental treatment had changed his scent and the dog was
puzzled, causing Jack to ask on one occasion, "How will I ever again
convince Max that this strange‑smelling man is his master?" The
experimental treatment was not successful. Jack died and was buried in
Riverside National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Peg of Huntington
Beach, CA; and children: Richard of Irving, CA; Christie Gillis of Hayward, CA,
Carolyn Curtis of San Diego, CA; and David of Seattle, WA. Jack is also
survived and will always be remembered by his many friends. We all carry a part
of Jack with us.
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USMA 1950