Obituary
Donald “Don” L. Parris, Sr., age 75, of Melbourne, Florida, passed away on January 6, 2022 at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center of natural causes.
Don was born April 2, 1946 in New Castle, Pennsylvania to parents James W. Parris and Velma M. Keller. He graduated from Wilmington Area High School in 1964 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Air Force. While stationed in southern Spain, he met the love of his life and wife of over 54 years, Isabel Grive Mira. They were married on October 12, 1967 at the Basilica de Jesús del Gran Poder in Seville, Spain.
Don is a Vietnam War veteran who valued his service to our country and attained the rank of Master Sergeant. As part of his over 26 years of distinguished service, he was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service and Commendation Medals, among others. He was also a small arms expert marksman. Don was stationed in six states – Colorado, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, and two other foreign countries – Germany and Spain, before taking his final assignment at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida in 1988. He was a devoted father, Little League baseball coach and served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister at the Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne, FL.
Don is survived by his wife Isabel G. Parris; children Isabel Maria Parris-Ramie, James R. Parris, Steven H. Parris and wife Afi S. Johnson-Parris, Donald L. Parris Jr. and husband Mitchell S. Becker; grandchildren Sarah Ramie, Joseph Ramie, Chela Parris, Sophia Ramie and Richmond Parris; and brother James W. Parris and wife Suzanne L. Parris. His parents preceded him in death.
A private service for the immediate family will be held Tuesday, January 11th at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. The family asks for any donations to go to the Fisher House Foundation in memory of Donald L. Parris, Sr.
The Parris family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the staff of the Community Living Center at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Lake Nona where Don resided the final years of his life.
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