Howard L. Parrett

Howard L. Parrett of Cheney, WA, went quietly to the Lord on February 23, 2012. He was born on April 6, 1930 in Fort Worth, TX, the youngest of four children, including sisters Vanita and Charlene, and brother Ben, all of whom predeceased him. At the age of 17, while attending Gardena High School in Gardena, CA, Howard joined the Naval Reserve. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1948 following graduation when he made a decision to join the Air Force, and began basic training at Lackland AFB. In mid-1955 he was the first enlisted man assigned to a classified Air Force base for the U-2 aircraft test program where he instructed test pilots and Air Force pilots in the effects of high altitude flying. He was then deployed to Giebelstadt, Germany, for six months with an operational squadron of U-2s. After returning to the U.S. in July 1957, he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force Medical Service Corps through a direct commission. During his 23 years of service, he was assigned to Mather, Chanute, Wiesbaden, Wright Patterson, Gunter, Fairchild, Eielson, George, Wheelus, Dyess and Offut Air Force Bases. During his service in the Air Force, he attended college courses over the years at local colleges and universities and eventually received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska, one month after he retired as a Major. In July 1978 Howard moved to Spokane to serve as administrator at the Shriners Hospital for Children for 16 years, until retiring on October 1, 1994. During his tenure at the Shriner’s Hospital, he led the design and construction efforts for the new hospital, and earned his MBA from City University. Howard was an avid golfer, dog lover and amateur oil painter. Howard and Barbara’s miniature schnauzer Mozart brought them great joy over the years, and Howard received much comfort during visits with a schnauzer puppy named Oscar during his last days with us. Over the past 30 years, Howard and Barbara lived in Spokane, East Wenatchee and Cheney, WA. Howard’s wife Barbara A. Parrett preceded him in death in October 2011. He is survived by his daughter Denise Parrett of Edmonds, WA; son Larry Parrett and daughter-in-law Keli of Seattle, WA; stepson Todd Lund and daughter-in-law, Lea Anne and step granddaughter, Taylon of Coeur d'Alene, ID; stepdaughter Terisa Lund of Gold Bar, WA; grandsons Chase and Reese Parrett, granddaughter Sara Parrett, step grandson Canyon Sotiropoulas, and many nieces and nephews. Howard will be interred with Barbara at the State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA. At his request there will be no funeral service, and any memorials in his name can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472.

Howard L. Parrett

April 6, 1930 - February 23, 2012