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Paul Revere Parrish passed away on September 1,2026, leaving behind a long life defined by hard work, faith, resilience, and devotion to his family and church. Born on August 16, 1929, in Center Grove, Texas, Paul entered the world at the beginning of the Great Depression, and the difficult years that followed helped shape the strength, perseverance, and self-reliance that would characterize his life. The son of Charles Culberson “Cubb†and Isom Shearls “Sherlie†Wilson Parrish, Paul grew up knowing the importance of hard work, helping others, and doing what needed to be done, whether enthusiastically or otherwise.
Paul built a good life through grit and determination. He spent part of his career working as a roughneck on oil rigs and later as a longshoreman on the docks in Houston. In 1962, while working on the docks, Paul suffered a serious injury when the lower half of his body was crushed by a ten-ton block of granite. But out of the bad came good. When he returned to the hospital in Houston in 1963 to get pins removed from his legs, Paul asked a nurse he had met while in the hospital, Jean McAnally, to go with him to get a cup of coffee. They were married the next year on August 7, 1964, and shared a devoted life together until his passing.
Church was central to Paul’s life. He was actively involved in church throughout his years and served as the song leader at Jones Prairie Baptist, First Baptist Corrigan and Blanchard Baptist, to name a few. Paul’s role as song leader meant his family was involved as well, filling the pews, singing special music, joining the choir and playing the piano.
Paul Parrish lived a life filled with hard work and unforgettable experiences. From going to work in the family fields at the age of five, to sleeping on the monkey board of an oil rig, to witnessing a cow jump from a ship into the Houston Ship Channel, and the memorable effort it took to get her back on dry land, Paul had a story for every occasion. He left a lasting impression on the lives of many and will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean Parrish; his sons, Kelton Parrish and Ricky Acker; his daughters, Carolyn Acker, Kathy McRae, Cheryl Jacks, Theresa Parrish, and Patricia Parrish-Phillips; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. A service honoring his life will be held at Pace Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas, on Monday, September 7, 2026, at 10:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to your local church in Paul’s memory.
Please leave your online condolences at www.pacefuneral.com
Paul built a good life through grit and determination. He spent part of his career working as a roughneck on oil rigs and later as a longshoreman on the docks in Houston. In 1962, while working on the docks, Paul suffered a serious injury when the lower half of his body was crushed by a ten-ton block of granite. But out of the bad came good. When he returned to the hospital in Houston in 1963 to get pins removed from his legs, Paul asked a nurse he had met while in the hospital, Jean McAnally, to go with him to get a cup of coffee. They were married the next year on August 7, 1964, and shared a devoted life together until his passing.
Church was central to Paul’s life. He was actively involved in church throughout his years and served as the song leader at Jones Prairie Baptist, First Baptist Corrigan and Blanchard Baptist, to name a few. Paul’s role as song leader meant his family was involved as well, filling the pews, singing special music, joining the choir and playing the piano.
Paul Parrish lived a life filled with hard work and unforgettable experiences. From going to work in the family fields at the age of five, to sleeping on the monkey board of an oil rig, to witnessing a cow jump from a ship into the Houston Ship Channel, and the memorable effort it took to get her back on dry land, Paul had a story for every occasion. He left a lasting impression on the lives of many and will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean Parrish; his sons, Kelton Parrish and Ricky Acker; his daughters, Carolyn Acker, Kathy McRae, Cheryl Jacks, Theresa Parrish, and Patricia Parrish-Phillips; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. A service honoring his life will be held at Pace Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas, on Monday, September 7, 2026, at 10:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to your local church in Paul’s memory.
Please leave your online condolences at www.pacefuneral.com