Harold Ray Pairish

Advertisement
Harold Ray Pairish

(February 17, 1941 – February 16, 2018) 

FUNERAL SERVICES: 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at Comanche Funeral Home Chapel.

BURIAL: Baggett Creek Cemetery in Comanche County.

VISITATION: None scheduled.

Harold Ray Pairish, age 77, of Brownwood, Texas, died on February 16, 2018, at his home. He was attended by the best nurse ever, Betty Rogers Whitley of Kindred Hospice, who always let Harold show her his high school annuals. Harold loved her and looked forward to her visits so he could talk about his earlier Comanche days. He loved remembering that special time and his friends. Until the day he died Harold went once a week to Comanche to eat lunch with his wonderful friends, Carl and Barbara Williams. He left his Earthly home, but he took with him the love and friendship of many people he had met over the years. Those friends, and his family, were showered with cards, candy, $2 bills, flowers and more love than most people ever know. He had every bank teller saving him the $2 bills so they were his friends too. If you were lucky you would be blessed with a gift of grilled pork chops or baby back ribs. That BBQ grill was his way of telling you that you were special in his heart. He demolished the kitchen, but oh, my goodness, could he cook those baby back ribs.

Harold was born February 17, 1941, in Roscoe, Texas, to Orbie Ray Pairish and Estia Belle Thornberry Pairish. He married Doris Lynn Evans on March 25, 1967, at Proctor Baptist Church. He attended church there and was the voluntary grounds’ keeper for many years. He traveled a distance every week to ‘go a mowin’ on the John Deere mower, and there was no doubt that you best not mess with his Deere. There was never a day that he gave in to illness, and his constant praise was, “Thank you, God, for I am blessed”.

Harold is survived by his patient wife of 50 years, Doris, and one wonderful daughter, Mandi Lynn Pairish of Carrollton, Texas. He is also survived by Doylene Evans, Dr. Bill Evans, Ann Evans, Dr. Nan Evans, and the joys of his life, Will Evans, Angie Kay Evans and Ali Evans (special baby back ribs recipients); his beloved Luker family; special friends, Dale and Rita Courtright (Grits); Joe Franks (of Frankly Delicious fame) and Jean White (lifetime buddy.) Sometimes those individuals had to accept sympathy for being with Harold, but each accepted it with a smile on their face.

Harold was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ray and Estia Pairish; father-in-law and mother-in-law, R.W. and Lou Evans; Billy Ray Evans (brother of the heart), and Jerry Pullen (BROTHER!). He also liked to say that he was preceded by the parts of his body those doctors kept removing!

Harold graduated from Comanche High School, 1959, and Howard Payne College, 1969. He worked for the Texas Youth Commission, Brownwood campus, as the purchasing agent. He was ably assisted by his special pals, Kaye Boyd, Kelly Tyson, Bobby Duffer and JoAnn Miller. He said that he only retired because the computer was replacing his brain. To the end of his days he refused to use a cell phone or computer. He was a man who loved the past and knew the words to Shane by heart. Name an Elvis Presley song and every word could be sung in his funny, off key musical style. He was a terrible singer who would sing the Boll Weevil song to you as many times as you would listen.

Harold especially liked old western movies (watched so many times that the dialogue was memorized), Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Mickey Mouse and tee shirts or shirts given to him by family and friends. His shirt collection might easily qualify for the Guinness Book of World Records. He claimed most of the closets in the home. He bought BBQ in every place he ever visited, tried fried catfish in every restaurant that served it, and loved the Luker Reunion more than life. He had a favorite Mickey Mouse blanket given to him by Angie, and all he ever asked his wife to do about a funeral was to bury him in his Benjamin Franklin shirt, his blue jeans and his Mickey Mouse blanket. That is a kept promise, H-RAY-P.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.