The Passing of Retired Brother Cloyd Parrish

We are deeply to saddened to share with your the passing of retired Brother Cloyd Parrish on May 3rd, 2024.

Cloyd had started working with us here at American Airlines in 1955 and retired from the position of Aviation Maintenance Technician – Crew Chief in 1994.

Please keep the Parrish family in your thoughts and prayers.

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Cloyd Dewilton Parrish Obituary

On Friday, May 3, 2024, Cloyd Dewilton Parrish succumbed to the cancer that had been diagnosed 28 years ago. Cloyd died peacefully at home.

Born in 1929 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cloyd’s life took him in many directions – from a farm in Anadarko, Oklahoma to Goose Bay, Labrador where he served as a Staff Sergeant for the U.S. Airforce. Later, he worked at Western Farmer’s Electric, where he met his soon-to-be bride Regina Fern Foster, and soon the couple welcomed an infant daughter, Lisa Lynn Parrish.

Cloyd’s aptitude for engineering, along with the mechanical skills from his service in the Air Force led him to the opportunity to work as a Crew Chief for American Airlines, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked for 38 years until retiring.

Regina and Cloyd divorced, but in 1979, Cloyd met the love of his life, Judy Mae Kerns. he couple built a home in the country near Verdigris, Oklahoma. Cloyd and Judy created a home that welcomed others – a place of green meadows, towering shade trees, and a place where deer, fox, rabbits, squirrels, and myriad birds called home. This was also where Cloyd fostered his love of airplanes and vintage Farmall tractors, including the one his father had purchased in 1936.

In Claremore, Cloyd and Judy welcomed their first and only grandchild, Carter Parrish Rolfe, a little boy who called them “Red truck” Grandma and Grandpa. The couple became members of Verdigris Methodist Church where they met and were nurtured by a remarkable Church family – a group of folks with whom they worshipped , shared a meal, laughter, and a group of men from church joined the ROMEO Club – Retired Old Men Eating Out, and though some members have passed or moved on, new members are still welcome.

Though we grieve the loss of Cloyd from this earth, those who loved him rejoice that he now is in a place of joy, good health, and glory.

Services will be conducted by Pastor John Miller Verdigris Methodist Church.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Jay and Lisa Rolfe, a grandson, Carter Rolfe, who resides in Washington, D.C., and his beloved wife , Judy Parrish, whose care and love kept him alive for so many years.