Rory Parrish was born on May 26, 1962 in Beckley, West Virginia to his loving parents, Orlando Parrish and Marilyn Warren Parrish.  He went home to be with the Lord on November 3, 2025.

Rory grew up in Dayton, Ohio with his parents and two younger sisters.  He grew up attending Tabernacle Baptist Church where he was baptized at the age of nine.  He was blessed to have other close family in Dayton that were a key part of his daily life growing up and beyond including his Ohio grandparents, Grandma Hazel and Papa,  Aunt Gloria and Uncle James and their four sons, Gary, Darryl, James Jr., and Warren, who are his cousins yet more like his brothers.  He enjoyed many fun times with his West Virginia grandparents, Granddaddy and Grandma Warren, as well whether in the garden, on the farm, or at the dinner table. Childhood was grand for him filled with days of bike riding, playing football, kickball, Hot Wheels, action figures, board/card games, classes at the Museum of Natural History, karate, piano, and guitar, family vacations, Boy Scouts activities, building snowmen, blanket tents, model vehicles or spaceships.

After graduating from Alter High School in 1980, Rory headed to The Ohio State University, where he was a member and Sgt.-of-Arms of the Black Undergraduate Engineering Council and Chairman of the Equinox Committee. He completed the first two years then began working returning later to graduate in 1999 from The OSU Fisher College of Business with a Bachelor’s degree in Transportation & Logistics/Business Management Operations. He remained in Columbus where he began working at Pacer Global Logistics as an operations manager for almost 10 years.  He met many lifelong friends there, and he was known as the one that kept their group together over the decades. He worked as a solutions specialist at Airnet Express for several years before working as the operations manager at Capitol Express Columbus main branch for more than 13 years.

Rory was known for his quick wit, dedication, work ethic, and giving spirit. He cared for others and helped so many people.  People that have known him for years or even just days characterized him as “such a good man", “a sweet guy”, responsible, smart, memory like an elephant, an inquirer that probably won’t give the answer, rather he will give you provocations to help you think of the answer and learn, and a great writer. He had interest in sports, especially Ohio State football and the Cleveland Browns, family, friends, sci-fi,  model building, current events, and writing. He was probably the first person to send you a happy birthday text or voicemail each year.

He was preceded in his journey to Heaven by his parents, Orlando and Marilyn Parrish, grandparents, Thomas Parrish, Simeon Warren Sr. and Mable Brown Warren, Hazel and Opal Carson, aunt and uncles, Gloria Warren Wilson and James Wilson Sr., Wayne Pannell and dear, longtime  friends, Chana Yetts and John Edward Moyler.

He is survived by his sister Joya Parrish Asika; sister and brother-in-law Jill Parrish Sims and André Sims; aunt Sonya Pannell, goddaughter Makenzie Henderson, nieces Kayla Sims, Jade Asika, and Icesis Asika; nephews Kristofer Sims (Cynthia); Arik Parrish, and Myles Garrison; brother-cousins Gary Jackson, Darryl Wilson; James Wilson Jr., and Warren Wilson; cousins’ children; extended family and friends.