Marion Barlow Parrish Jr.
January 3, 1931 — January 5, 2012
Marion Barlow Parrish, Jr., 81, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on January 5, 2012. Funeral Services: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids by Mary Arnold. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery.
Marion Barlow Parrish, Jr. was born January 3, 1931, in Everton, Arkansas. Marion was the son of Monroe Barlow Parrish and Mary Mae (Fowler) Parrish.
Marion met his future wife, Alma Spencer, when she was 6 ½ days old and they married November 18, 1953, when she was 16 years old. Marion and Alma was a truly happy couple. Even after Alzheimer’s took his memory, Marion insisted they renew their marriage vows. On November 19, 2011, a quiet ceremony was held with Marion proudly speaking his vows to the woman he loved.
Marion (Jr.) began working on the Rock Island Railroad in 1947 at age 16. He started as a messenger and worked his way up to engineer. Marion took two years away from the railroad to proudly serve in the Army. He crossed the Artic Circle and became a “Brother Blue Nose”. Marion remained employed by the Rock Island Lines until they filed for Bankruptcy in 1980. He then moved to Denver, Colorado and worked for the Colorado Southern Railroad. Marion retired as ‘engineer advisor’ from the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1993. After retirement he worked part-time at Hy-Vee on Wilson Ave.
While living in Colorado, he made many friends and had several pen pals from Australia. He was able to travel to Australia on two occasions.
Upon return to Iowa, Marion and Alma became ‘snowbirds’, traveling to Texas and Phoenix, Arizona during the winter months, often accompanied by sister-in-law, Shirley (Larry) King. In celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, they traveled to California and back on the Amtrak.
Marion was a member of El Kahir Shrine (clown unit), Mt. Herman Masonic Lodge, Malta Chapter of Eastern Star, and Rainbow Dad for Cedar Rapids Assembly #11.
Left behind to celebrate Marion’s life are his wife of 58 years, Alma, and their children, Bonnie (Jeff) Dougherty, Connie (Dave) Heidemann and Doug (Carol) Parrish. Marion’s grandchildren are: Jeremiah (Shannon) Parrish, Ryan Parrish, Bryan (Angela) Baer, Joe (Angela), Heather (Clint), and Jennifer Dougherty, Chris (Courtney) and Kelsey Heidemann. Great-grandchildren are: Brody, Chloe, Madison and Brooklyn Parrish, Jade Bieber, Max and Ava Farley, Lily Keenen, Bella, Josie, Dalton, Lexie, Laynie Dougherty and Hayley Leppert. Marion is also survived by his sister, Evelyn (Emil) French; Chuck (Kelly) Baer, several brothers and sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Preceding Marion in death were his parents, and his mother and father-in-law, Alvin and Ruby Spencer. Marion had several brothers and sisters precede him also.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Geodken and the staff at the Villages in Marion. There are no words to express our gratitude for the loving care given to Marion by the Memory Care Unit staff and Hospice staff.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association or Hospice Compassas.
Military rites will be provided by American Legion Post #727.
Marion Barlow Parrish, Jr. was born January 3, 1931, in Everton, Arkansas. Marion was the son of Monroe Barlow Parrish and Mary Mae (Fowler) Parrish.
Marion met his future wife, Alma Spencer, when she was 6 ½ days old and they married November 18, 1953, when she was 16 years old. Marion and Alma was a truly happy couple. Even after Alzheimer’s took his memory, Marion insisted they renew their marriage vows. On November 19, 2011, a quiet ceremony was held with Marion proudly speaking his vows to the woman he loved.
Marion (Jr.) began working on the Rock Island Railroad in 1947 at age 16. He started as a messenger and worked his way up to engineer. Marion took two years away from the railroad to proudly serve in the Army. He crossed the Artic Circle and became a “Brother Blue Nose”. Marion remained employed by the Rock Island Lines until they filed for Bankruptcy in 1980. He then moved to Denver, Colorado and worked for the Colorado Southern Railroad. Marion retired as ‘engineer advisor’ from the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1993. After retirement he worked part-time at Hy-Vee on Wilson Ave.
While living in Colorado, he made many friends and had several pen pals from Australia. He was able to travel to Australia on two occasions.
Upon return to Iowa, Marion and Alma became ‘snowbirds’, traveling to Texas and Phoenix, Arizona during the winter months, often accompanied by sister-in-law, Shirley (Larry) King. In celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, they traveled to California and back on the Amtrak.
Marion was a member of El Kahir Shrine (clown unit), Mt. Herman Masonic Lodge, Malta Chapter of Eastern Star, and Rainbow Dad for Cedar Rapids Assembly #11.
Left behind to celebrate Marion’s life are his wife of 58 years, Alma, and their children, Bonnie (Jeff) Dougherty, Connie (Dave) Heidemann and Doug (Carol) Parrish. Marion’s grandchildren are: Jeremiah (Shannon) Parrish, Ryan Parrish, Bryan (Angela) Baer, Joe (Angela), Heather (Clint), and Jennifer Dougherty, Chris (Courtney) and Kelsey Heidemann. Great-grandchildren are: Brody, Chloe, Madison and Brooklyn Parrish, Jade Bieber, Max and Ava Farley, Lily Keenen, Bella, Josie, Dalton, Lexie, Laynie Dougherty and Hayley Leppert. Marion is also survived by his sister, Evelyn (Emil) French; Chuck (Kelly) Baer, several brothers and sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Preceding Marion in death were his parents, and his mother and father-in-law, Alvin and Ruby Spencer. Marion had several brothers and sisters precede him also.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Geodken and the staff at the Villages in Marion. There are no words to express our gratitude for the loving care given to Marion by the Memory Care Unit staff and Hospice staff.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association or Hospice Compassas.
Military rites will be provided by American Legion Post #727.
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