John Walter Parrish

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, Walters, OK, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, with Rev. Brad Spurlock officiating and interment in Walters Cemetery with military honors, under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday at the church from 1:00-2:00 pm prior to the service.

John Walter Parrish was born in Walters, OK, on January 30, 1931, to Garland Alexander and Althea Kathryn (Richey) Parrish and passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in Lawton, OK, at age 95.

Johnny married LaVena Colleen Paton on December 22, 1950, in Walters, OK, and enjoyed 75 years of marriage. They had three children, Paton Garland, Michael John and Lu Ann. He joined the Oklahoma National Guard at 17 and deployed to Korea with the 45th Infantry shortly after marriage. He graduated from Walters High School in 1950 and later attended Cameron College, receiving an associate degree.

He was employed as a lab tech at Sunray DX Oil Refinery for 36 years and then retired from Ft. Sill Petroleum Lab after 10 years of service. He loved ranching and farming with his father, raising black Angus cattle. He was on the school board for many years. He was involved with coaching baseball. Loved building projects and solving problems. He and LaVena ran a fireworks stand at their home for 30 plus years. He enjoyed attending his 45th Infantry reunions and help put on WHS reunions for many years.

His greatest love was following the Lord's purpose for his life. He and his wife were greatly involved in serving the Lord at the First Baptist Church of Walters. He was a deacon, teacher, Youth Training Union leader, bus ministry, puppet ministry, involved in choir, did building projects and was a helping hand wherever needed, even washing dishes.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Robert Wayne and Garland, Jr., who passed before John's birth; his stepmother, LaVerne; his step sister-in-law, Betty Sexton; a grandson, Levi Durbin; and a great grandson, Devyn Parrish.

He is survived by his wife, LaVena Paton Parrish; a son, Paton Garland, and wife Cathy of Ardmore, OK, a son, Michael John, and wife Pam of Temple, OK, a daughter, Lu Ann, of Bella Vista, AR; a stepbrother, Melvin Sexton of Moore, OK; a stepsister, Maxine Ernest of Wichita Falls, TX; 6 grandchildren, Doug Parrish of Walters, OK, Charles Parrish of Oklahoma City, OK, Autumn Langford and husband Lucky of Norman, OK, Nathan Parrish of Del City, OK, Jared Parrish of Forney, TX, Luke Durbin and wife Holly of Lowell, AR; 8 great grandchildren, Ceara, Cal, Brinley, Danyca, Avett John, Lucy, Kilee, Emma; other relatives and friends.

Memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 341, Walters, OK 73572. Designate for the 2026 Building Fund.