Richard Lee Parris
1922 - 2007
Richard Lee Parris June 5, 1922 - April 10, 2007 Richard Lee Parris was born June 5, 1922, to James Wilbur and Pearl Hash, in Fellows, California. Throughout his childhood he spent around the Taft area and graduated from Taft High School in 1940. After high school, Richard worked in the oilfields and then took employment in Vallejo, working for the Government. After that, Richard joined the Army/Air Force and became a B-25 Pilot stationed in the Philippines. During this time Richard proudly served his country during World War II. Richard was discharged from the military on September 1946. After the military Richard went into car sales in Taft. He received awards from the Studebaker Company for his accomplishments in the car sales industry. In the 1950's Richard and his family moved to the Los Angeles area and became self-employed. During this time he had a catering truck service which he enjoyed. In 1967, Richard moved to Bakersfield, and went into the used car business with his brother, Boyd. After the used car sales, they became oilfield contractors with Parris Vacuum Service. Upon retiring from the oilfields, the Parris and Small family started West Side Industrial Park; Richard worked in the business until his retirement in October. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 14th, from 3-7 p.m., at West Side Mortuary, 1150 4th Street, Taft. Funeral services will take place on Sunday, April 15th, 1:00 p.m., at West Side Memorial Services Sunset Chapel. Burial will take place at West Side District Cemetery on Monday, April 16th, at 11:00 p.m. All are welcome to join. Please sign online guest book at: www.westsidememorialservices.com West Side Mortuary-Taft

Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 4/13/2007.

Richard Lee Parris
1922 - 2007
Richard Lee Parris June 5, 1922 - April 10, 2007 Richard Lee Parris was born June 5, 1922, to James Wilbur and Pearl Hash, in Fellows, California. Throughout his childhood he spent around the Taft area and graduated from Taft High School in 1940. After high school, Richard worked in the oilfields and then took employment in Vallejo, working for the Government. After that, Richard joined the Army/Air Force and became a B-25 Pilot stationed in the Philippines. During this time Richard proudly served his country during World War II. Richard was discharged from the military on September 1946. After the military Richard went into car sales in Taft. He received awards from the Studebaker Company for his accomplishments in the car sales industry. In the 1950's Richard and his family moved to the Los Angeles area and became self-employed. During this time he had a catering truck service which he enjoyed. In 1967, Richard moved to Bakersfield, and went into the used car business with his brother, Boyd. After the used car sales, they became oilfield contractors with Parris Vacuum Service. Upon retiring from the oilfields, the Parris and Small family started West Side Industrial Park; Richard worked in the business until his retirement in October. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 14th, from 3-7 p.m., at West Side Mortuary, 1150 4th Street, Taft. Funeral services will take place on Sunday, April 15th, 1:00 p.m., at West Side Memorial Services Sunset Chapel. Burial will take place at West Side District Cemetery on Monday, April 16th, at 11:00 p.m. All are welcome to join. Please sign online guest book at: www.westsidememorialservices.com West Side Mortuary-Taft

Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 4/13/2007.