BY MILES LAYTON

As folks know, Jim Parrish passed away Tuesday after a tragic accident on NC 32.  

This story is not about that but rather about Parrish’s life and how much he meant to others.  

By paying tribute to Parrish, we celebrate the values of Chowan County, certainly Eastern North Carolina.  

Parrish’s life serves as an example to others of being a good father, friend, Christian and pillar of the community.  

First, I’m going to put this up front – Edenton Baptist Church’s pews are certain to be packed for a celebration of his life that will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, with a service conducted by Reverend Koby Strawser and Reverend Gary Stanley. Friends are invited to visit with the family in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service — see obituary.

Though familiar with Parrish and his family, I wanted to know more about the man, so I reached out to his best friend, Doug Layton, Aces’ Athletic Director Wes Mattera, the Farm Bureau and others.

Layton was grieving Thursday when we spoke about Jim’s passing. He’s still coming to terms with it all and finding a reason for it all.     

“Well, I believe he was called to heaven,” he said of Parrish, an avid member of Edenton Baptist Church.  

Layton and Parrish have known each other since forever.  

“Well, Jim was definitely my best friend. I also built a home in the same neighborhood that Jim lives in mainly for my wife and I to be closer to him and his wife and some of our other friends. We spent countless times together. I’m sure many other people could say the same thing. Everyone around town knows that Jim and I were great friends, and I’ve had people coming up to me that I don’t even know talking to me about him. This is such a tragic loss to so many people.”

These true blue Aces graduated a year apart (Parrish ‘95, Layton ‘96) from John A. Holmes High School.  

“Jim was very popular in high school,” Layton said. “He was friends with everyone. I just remember him always being very happy. He was also a very good athlete.”  

Parrish was a man beloved by all.    

“I think you could spend the rest of your life asking people about Jim and you would never hear a bad thing about him,” Layton said. “Jim had tons of friends. It was nothing for him and I to go places together, and he would have to spend 15 or 20 minutes just talking to everyone that he knew there before we could get on with whatever we were there for.”  

Layton had a tear in his eye as he reflected on the memories of his friend.  

“Some of my most fond memories of Jim are fishing together and just hanging out in general, talking about business, and watching football and basketball games,” he said. 

A great father, Parrish and his lovely wife Chrystal are the parents of two top Aces’ honor roll student-athletes – Emma and Jimbo.   

Earlier this year, Emma received an award from the Edenton Tea Party chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for her essay “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.” A multi-sport athlete, Jimbo is a top-notch basketball player

Parrish is a name known to many as a farming family. Jim was a partner in the family farming operation, J.M. Parrish & Son, Inc

“Jim was a generational farmer,” Layton said. “He farmed a family with his father and his son. He was a great businessman and hard worker. Honest and trustworthy — a man of great integrity.” 

Parrish was a member of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Board of Trustees.

“Jim was a wonderful board member, always willing to help and advocate for the farming community,” said Lauren Lewis, Senior CSR/Liaison NC Farm Bureau Support Services Chowan County Farm Bureau.  

Parrish attended the North Carolina Farm Bureau Annual Convention in 2023, representing Chowan County Farm Bureau. 

“As a board member they provide leadership opportunities for people interested in agriculture, educate the public about agriculture and advocate for your local farming community and Jim did these things to the highest standards,” Lewis said. “He was truly the definition of a farmer as a caretaker of the land and putting his heart and soul into what he loved not only in the field but in his community and family.”  

Parrish was committed to the community as a proud member of the Edenton Aces Football Dads Club.  

“He was a great baseball, basketball and football coach,” Layton said. “He’s helped so many kids and treated them like they’re his own. He has donated tons and tons of his own time to help other people for all sorts of different things. He was the kind of guy that if he saw someone that he didn’t even know struggling with something he would take time out to go help them with it.”

JAHHS Athletic Director Wes Mattera talked about the man that Parrish was – his commitment to Aces athletics.    

“Jim Parrish was a good ole Chowan County, country boy who loved farming, his family, and both NC State and Edenton Aces Athletics,” he said. “There are a number of important and influential families within Edenton, and the Parrish family definitely ranks right up there at the top when it comes to love and commitment to the entire Edenton Aces program.”  

Mattera continued, “Over the years, JM, Anne, Jim, and Chrystal could be found all across eastern NC rooting on not only their two loved ones, but many of our loved ones as well. Jim was always only a phone call or a text away, while his smile and distinct laugh could always make a rough day better. We are a better Athletic Program because of devoted alumni like Jim Parrish. We love you Jim. Rest easy my friend and see ya on the other side brother.”  

Layton shared this email from AJ Lopez, President of Edenton Lake and Harbor.   

It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I send this email. We have lost a cherished member of our community, Jimmie Parrish III. For those who knew him, and I believe that includes so many of us here, you know that the passing of ‘Jim,’ as we affectionately called him, leaves a void that will be deeply felt.

Jim served our community with unwavering dedication, most notably as the President of our Architectural Review Committee. He approached this role, and indeed every task he undertook for us, with a commitment and passion that was truly inspiring.

No matter the need, big or small, Jim was always the first to raise his hand and volunteer. He never hesitated to lend his time, his energy, and his expertise to make our community a better place for all of us. He consistently went above and beyond what was asked, always with a smile and a genuine desire to help.

While Jim’s contributions to our community were immense and deeply appreciated, his devotion to his wonderful family was even more evident. Our hearts ache for them during this incredibly difficult time.

Jim will be greatly missed by so many. His selfless service, his kind spirit, and his willingness to always lend a hand have left an indelible mark on our community. We are truly grateful for his thankless service and the positive impact he had on each of us.

At this time, I ask that we all keep Jim’s family in our warmest thoughts and prayers as they navigate this profound loss. May they find strength and comfort in the memories of the remarkable man that Jim was.

Thank you, Jim, for everything.

Knowing all this about Parrish’s life and legacy, Layton said the family is certain to have a lot of support in the wake of the tragedy.

“I’m sure there’s not going to be enough room in the church for his funeral.”  

Recently, Doug Layton visited the family at the Parrish House in their beloved Edenton Lake & Harbor neighborhood. While there, a friend, neighbor, and fellow businessman of Edenton, Chris Layton, said it perfectly. “‘Jim Parrish was a legend’ — That made me think of the movie The Sandlot, how Legends Never Die. Their memory lives on forever in the hearts of the people who loved them and had the privilege of knowing them. That is Jim.”