Frank J. Parrish, 84, dies following illness

By Bennie Scarton Jr.

Published: August 6, 2008

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Frank Jennings Parrish, 84, who died on Tuesday, is remembered by his family and friends as a great hometown war hero and a smart businessman.

Born on Dec. 29, 1923, in Manassas, he died at Prince William Hospital following a long illness. Services will be Saturday at 4 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas.

His son, Edgar Lee Parrish, said "my dad was an inspiration to our entire family and taught us the importance of self-reliance. We all felt he was an amazing person for all that he accomplished in his life."

Parrish attended Virginia Tech until the outbreak of World War II. Already an avid pilot, Parrish volunteered for service in the Army Air Corps and piloted C-46 and C-47 aircraft on 75 missions behind enemy lines in the China-Burma-India theatre, and provided air support in evacuating Nanking, China, before its fall to the Communists.

After the war, Parrish continued his service in the Air Force Reserve for 42 years, finally being promoted to the rank of brigadier general, a rare accomplishment for a Reservist. He flew support missions as a command troop carrier pilot in C-119s and C-130s during the Korean War and Vietnam War. During his career, Parrish received 21 medals, including the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit.

Long-time family friend John O. Gregory, who went to school with him, said "he was widely recognized in the Manassas community for his patriotism and business ventures and will be sorely missed. It's not often that someone from the then-small town of Manassas has achieved his fame. "

Parrish was the principal founder of Manassas Frozen Food in 1946, which merged with Manassas Ice & Fuel Company in 1979. He was past president of both the Virginia Frozen Food Association and the National Institute of Locker & Freezer Provisioners. He was a major stockholder of MIFCO and has been its past vice chairman. He was a member of its board of directors until his death.

Manassas Mayor Harry J. "Hal" Parrish II, his nephew, said, "my uncle was a great help to me both at the time I was serving in the United States Air Force and in my business career at MIFCO. I have a great deal of respect for what he accomplished both in the military and in the business world. He was held in awe by those who knew him."

Former Manassas Mayor Marvin Gillum, who was also a longtime friend of Parrish, said, "he will be missed by not only his family but the entire Manassas community. We all enjoyed each other's company."

State Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Manassas, found Parrish, whom he knew since 1964, to be "a very fine military officer and pilot. He was rather on the quiet side but when he gave you his word, he never went back on it. He was truly a gentleman."

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.