Harold R. “Slick” Parrish, 93, of Taylorville died Friday, February 12, 2021, at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. He was born May 8, 1927, in Taylorville the son of Harold F. and Clara F. (Gelonek) Parrish.  Slick graduated from Taylorville High School in the class of 1945 and then went on to serve in the United States Navy aboard the cargo ship USS Titania AKA-13, Phillipines. On June 6, 1948, he married Lugenia C. “Dotty” McLeod in Taylorville.
His interest in sports and photography began early. He was proud to be a junior member of the 1944 Illinois State basketball championship team. In 1947, he began taking photographs of the Taylorville high school football and basketball teams. As technology advanced, he began filming then videotaping games; a familiar site on top of the press box at football games as well as in the gymnasium for girls’ and boys’ basketball games. That hobby lasted for just over six decades. He was a charter member of both the Emil Mayer Junior Football League and the Taylorville High School Sports Boosters. He was inducted into the Taylorville Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1944 basketball team and as a Friend of Sports. He was also inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a photographer/videographer. In his younger years, he liked to play pool and also enjoyed bowling with his father “Pop” in a league at the Olde Bowl. Early employment history included Menietti’s Service Station, Pope’s Photography Studio, and Wareham’s Dairy. In 1961, he began working at Brown and Sons as an appliance dealer and office manager, a job which he held for about 42 years.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he, for many years, audiotaped then videotaped church services. He was a member of the Methodist Men’s Group. He was also a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, and a 2014 Land of Lincoln Honor Flight veteran from World War II. He always looked forward to attending his ship’s reunions and weekly coffee gatherings with his buddies at Rene’s Drug Store.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Clara; his sister, Virginia Davis; brother-in-law, Aldo Vitali; and son-in-law, Louis Trutter. He is survived by wife, Dotty, of 72 years; daughters: Patricia Trutter of Alvarado, Texas; Joyce (David) Jamison of Taylorville; grandchildren: Nick (Jane) Jamison of Westerville, Ohio; Megan Jamison of Taylorville; Alyssa Trutter of Bryan, Texas; Emily (Wesley) Shimek of Waxahachie, Texas;  great-grandchildren: Lilly and Claire Jamison and Charlotte and Andrew Shimek; sister: Edmona Vitali of Taylorville; brother: Robert E. Parrish of Lincoln; two nieces, two nephews, and seven great-nieces/nephews.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private family funeral service will be held with Pastor Becky Lembke officiating.  Friends are invited to join the family for a committal service and military graveside rites at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens at approximately 2pm on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.  Memorials in Slick’s honor may be left to Taylorville First United Methodist Church, V.F.W. Post #4495, or the Taylorville Tornado Sports Boosters.  McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.  Memories of Slick, or condolences to his family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.