Daniel W. Parrish III, 84, of Hartford, Conn., and devoted husband of Carol Tillman Parrish, entered eternal rest on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Daniel was born to the late Abraham Parrish and Pauline Alice Williams Cooke Parrish on January 6, 1941, in North, Va.
Daniel was a graduate and class valedictorian of Thomas Hunter High School in Mathews, Va., class of 1958. Daniel received an associate degree from the Norfolk Division State College, was a member of the National Society of Persian Rifles and the ROTC, served in the U.S. Army 121st Signal Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 4. While serving his country Daniel specialized in cryptography. Prior to honorable discharge he was eligible for a communications clerk position with the U.S. Department of State with a possible transfer to West Africa in Lagos or Capri.
He was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, a lifetime member and former vice president of the Hartford NAACP, and he was a principal field representative for the City of Hartford, Human Relations Commission. He was also a life member of the American Legion McKinney-King Post 142, and a founding member and past president of the AARP Hartford Chapter. Furthermore, Daniel was a civil rights activist with his brother Thomas Parrish and campaigned for Democratic politicians along with Mrs. Ella L. Cromwell. He was also a fixture at Tom’s Corner.
Besides his loving wife, Daniel leaves his son, Kenneth Parrish, and daughter, Susan Parrish; granddaughter, Chandi Tillman-Carrera; two great-grandchildren, Bailli Carrera and Clayton George James Jr. He also leaves behind one nephew, Charles “Cookie” Cooke Jr.; 11 nieces, and a multitude of grand- and great-grand-nieces and nephews. He also leaves his two lifelong friends, Leslie C. Willis and George Winston Thomas.
He was predeceased by his sons, Gregory D. Tillman and infant, Dexter A. Parrish. He was also predeceased by his paternal siblings, Thomas Parrish, Edna Inez Parrish Lane, and Celestine Parrish, and his maternal siblings, William Howard Cooke, Charles Lafayette Cooke, Robert Frederick Cooke, and Boydie Alice Cooke Patterson.
Visit Howard K. Hill Funeral Services to leave condolences, see his recorded Celebration of Life and memorial slideshow.
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