John Waldon Parris
January 26, 1933 ~ January 2, 2025
Born in:
Mill Spring, North Carolina
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
John Waldon Parris, 91, passed peacefully on December 31, 2024 at Carolina Reserve assisted living center in Hendersonville, NC. Born January 26, 1933, in Mill Spring, NC, he was raised in Asheville and attended Lee Edwards High School until joining the U.S. Navy in 1951.
A proud veteran, John served his country in the Navy during the Korean War. He served on the U.S.S. Casa Grande and participated in flight deck combat operations aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Antietam, transferring to the ship by a harrowing “highline transfer” while underway in rough seas to replace a killed crew member.
John dedicated his career to serving his community with the Asheville Fire Department for 30 years, retiring in 1985 as Assistant Fire Chief. He was a respected fire fighter, arson investigator and mentor to many young fire fighters. He was renowned for his bravery and instrumental in saving numerous lives and properties.
A man of deep faith, John was an active member of West Asheville Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and dedicating his time to leading Sunday school classes and conducting Bible studies and prayers in area nursing homes. He was known for his unwavering faith and his ability to offer comfort and encouragement to others.
An avid outdoorsman, John enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout the South, with many memorable big game hunting adventures in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Whiteside Parris; father, John B. Parris; brother, Herman R. Parris; sister, Ruby Louise Parris and sister, Mary Sue Parris. He is survived by his sister, Rebecca Parris; nephew, Dean Parris; niece, Denise Swink; nephew, Dan Parris; nephew, Steve Brown; and nephew, Philip Brown.
John will be deeply missed for his fellowship, wit, and the captivating stories he shared. His indomitable spirit will forever be cherished.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Life Care Center of Hendersonville, Carolina Reserve and Four Seasons Hospice for their compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Asheville Baptist Church Building Fund at 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.
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We will miss your stories and big smile. Your faith was such an inspiration to Dean & I. May you rest in peace, we love you and shall see you soon!
I always looked up to you and listened with excitement as you told stories of hunting trips, train rides and firman stories. You will be missed but never forgotten in my memories. You were such a a manly man. Love you and will be joining you with family in heaven.
Love, Dean Parris
I always looked up to you and listened with excitement as you told stories of hunting trips, train rides and fireman stories. You will be missed but never forgotten in my memories. You were such a manly man. Love you and will be joining you with family in heaven.
Love, Dean Parris
I worked and fought fire with and beside John at AFD. He was a officer on my shift when I was a young Fireman, I had a lot of respect for him as a firefighter,outdoorsman, christian man and he could cook any kind of wild game that was always delicious. I got to visit with him before his health got worse and talked with him by phone on occasions, he will be missed and thought of often. I plan on seeing him again.
As one of the first female firefighters with Asheville Chief Parris was my shift Chief. He was very helpful with my early career with the dept..When i started.he called me into his office and told me exactly what he excepted of me as a firefighter on his shift, I tried not to let.him down.. As he was a man of great.faith, I will continue to try to not let.him down..Rest well my brother.
I met John when he wanted to move to Hendersonville to be closer to family. I so enjoyed my visits with him and our conversations about his memorabilia. He was such a nice, good man. I’m grateful to have known him.