Born in Henderson County, he was the son of the late Henry Fulton and Occie Tinsley Parris. Mr. Parris was a veteran of Vietnam, serving in the U.S. Army, and served a tour in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Parris was a member, trustee and past chaplain of the V.F.W. Post #4873 in Landrum, American Legion Post #77, Senior Vice Commander of D.A.V. Chapter 14 in Hendersonville, and served as service officer for both posts. He was a POW MIA advocate and served in the Corps of Engineers 18th Engineer Brigade in Vietnam. He retired from Collins and Aikman in Greenville and was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth Levi Parris; one son, Jason Eric Parris and wife, Sarah Rae Parris of Greenville; one daughter, Keisha Noel Parris of Columbus; three sisters, Helen Coren of Concord, N.C., Joanne Wingier and Catherine Stepp, both of Utica, Ohio; one brother, Bobby Parris of Fla. Also surviving is one granddaughter, Jenna Rae Parris.

A funeral will be held at

11 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2008 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, with Pastor Tony Miller officiating.

Burial will follow at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Western NC Veterans Cemetery, Black Mtn., N.C.

The family will receive friends Wednesday prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the funeral chapel.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel of Tryon is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary