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Richard Tenney Parry

Posted 2015-10-04 by Sharla
The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona,
Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Richard Tenney Parry, 75, of Prescott, Arizona, eldest of eight children, father of seven children and Pappy to 28 grandchildren, died early Friday morning, Sept. 25, 2015 due to complications from a stomach ulcer.

Richard graduated from Prescott High School, and then went on to serve an LDS mission to Brazil. He attended BYU and then finished his education at Arizona State University (the state's finest university) earning a degree in Political Science.

He started working at the New York Stock Exchange but then returned home to Arizona and found gainful employment as a successful salesman, initially with pharmaceuticals and ultimately in his own medical benefits corporation. He has recently been living in his rustic Prescott cabin, and in Idaho Falls with his beloved wife Anne Mangrum Parry, alternating with visits to the homes of his seven children from his first marriage to Kathryn Wright Palmer.

As the eldest of a large family, he learned the importance of hard work and motivation through cussing - balanced with knee slapping jokes. He relished any opportunity for a good meal. Deep down he was a true cowboy and his life was defined by his experiences working cattle with his cousins on his Uncle Boyd Tenney's ranch. He loved living in Arizona being surrounded by the warm weather and his boisterous extended family. He was an avid Scouter and took great joy in serving the young men, including his three sons that he helped become Eagles. He loved caring for his home, yard and cars, especially his eighth child, a customized 1973 Suburban.

He believed that boating was the best way to unite a family, even if the boat never made it to the water. He loved reading and was a lifelong scholar of history. He had a passion for conservative politics as offered daily by Fox News and Rush Limbaugh radio. Most importantly, he cherished his children and grandchildren, and took every opportunity to teach them the value of hard work, and the importance of eternal families. He will be missed most for his hyena like laughter, fun jabs and teasing, gentle remedies for our injuries, phone calls full of true stories from his colorful life, helping clean while freely offering (unsolicited) advice and counsel, and real empathy and hugs when we needed it most.

He is survived by his wife Anne Mangrum Parry; his seven younger siblings, Suzy Eames (Bart), Alan Parry (Susan), Wanda Gurr (Marsh), Darrel Parry, Rex Parry (Vickie), Cindy Coleman (Rod), Dene Buxton; his children, Rick Parry (Kristi), David Parry (Hilary), Adriane Hapgood (Tom), Jimmy Parry (Melissa), Olivia Parry, Emily Cox (Todd), and Ilene Payne (Jay); and his 28 grandchildren.

His life will be celebrated at two occasions. In lieu of a viewing, friends and family are invited to greet the family from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at the LDS Twelve Oaks Chapel, 10 S. Twelve Oaks Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226. A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the LDS Corona Stake Center, 1111 East Knox Road, Tempe, AZ 85284.

Per his request, Richard's ashes will be scattered in the Oddfellows Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona, near the grave of his cherished Grandma Tenney.

In lieu of flowers, bring candy - Richard had an amazing sweet tooth and his posterity does as well, or go spend some money and time on a boat. Please share memories or any pictures with the family by emailing memoriesofRTP@gmail.com.

Information provided by survivors.




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