Jean Parrish, 84, wife of the late Vaughn Parrish who was an internationally known square dance caller and teacher, died in Louisville, Colo., Sept. 6 surrounded by her loving and devoted family following a short illness.
Juanema Jean Key Parrish was the daughter of the late Jess A. and Naomi Pieratt Key of Childress, Texas.
Born May 25, 1925 in Kirkland, Texas, Parrish graduated from Kirkland High School in 1942. She was employed by the Childress Independent School District when she married Ewell Vaughn Parrish on March 14, 1944 and remained at Childress until Vaughn’s return from the South Pacific area after World War II came to an end.
Parrish was the “wind beneath his wings”, assisting and teaching round dancing in most of the United States, and in Brazil, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, North Africa and in Europe. Their home was on Parrish Ranch, a working ranch west of Berthoud, where they operated a large square dance hall and RV and resort center.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband. Surviving are her three children, one daughter, Phyllis Kay (Bob) Sutter of Fairview, N.C., two sons, Terry Wayne (Sheila) Parrish of Longmont, and Gary Kim Parrish of Berthoud; six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m. at the Parrish Ranch family cemetery, 2515 Parrish Road, Berthoud.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Parrish’s name can be made to the American Heart Association or other charity of your choice.
