Lester J. Parry

Lester J. Parry

May 4, 1940—April 18, 2023

Lester (Les) J. Parry, 82, of Bluffton, SC passed peacefully April 18, 2023 at home. He was born May 4, 1940 in Canastota, SD. In his youth, Dad was a total jock and played baseball, basketball, and football. He also ran track. His senior year at Canastota High School (1958), their basketball team won the State B Tournament, an event he often spoke of with fond memories. Les went on to graduate from the University of South Dakota with a major in history. He never lost his love of history and politics and was an avid reader of both subjects.

Lester considered work to be his greatest hobby and enjoyed being busy. His career was spent managing the USD Book & Supply in Vermillion, SD. He also volunteered and was a leader in many community organizations and served as Mayor of Vermillion, SD from 1976 until 1980. In Dad’s more recent years, he loved volunteering with the Busy Bees at Bluffton United Methodist Church. Les never met a stranger. He had a very quick wit, funniest guy in the room, was compassionate, kind and thoughtful.

Les always described himself as “a late arrival to an early departing family.” He was predeceased by his parents, Harold Parry and Jane White Parry; his four brothers, Lawrence, Glenn, Gerald and Ivan; and his daughter Stephanie J. Parry (1973).

Les is survived by two daughters, Kristal Woehlke (Jim) and Wendy Myers (Scott); seven grandchildren; two grandchildren-in-law; and three great-grandchildren. From his second marriage, Les is survived by three step-daughters, Julie Even (Chad), Jessica Burke (John) and Elizabeth Cehrtman (Mike), seven grandchildren, and one grandchild-in-law. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews and friends. We will all miss him dearly.

A memorial service will be held for Les June 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Bluffton United Methodist Church, where he was a member. The Reverend Scarlett Hester presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bluffton United Methodist Church.