Dale Wesley Parr

Dale Parr of Idalou passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the age of 69. He was born October 15, 1944 in Lubbock, Texas to Charlie and Starlie (Pack) Parr. He was their third child and shared a birthday with his oldest sister Carrol. The story goes that Carrol really wanted a doll for her 10th birthday but she got Dale instead.

Dale graduated from Idalou High School in 1964. He was active in many sports during high school. He went on to attend Texas Tech University, where he graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. Dale met his future wife, Patricia Ramsey, while at Tech. They married in 1968 and were married for 30 years. In 1975 they had their only child, Amanda, who, from the day she was born, was the center of Dale’s life. Even after their divorce, Dale and Pat remained friends and talked regularly.

While at Tech, Dale was recruited by the National Cotton Council (NCC) and after graduation moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he worked for the NCC for 14 years. He was seen as a rising star with the council and quickly became an expert in his field. He loved his time with the NCC and regularly told stories about his work, experiences, and the many wonderful people he had the opportunity to meet and learn from as he developed in his early career. In 1981, Dale moved his family to Waco, Texas, where he worked for the Waco Chamber of Commerce for four years before moving to the headquarters of Texas Farm Bureau, where he continued his career in business agriculture. He was active in the Waco Community, serving on many civic boards, professional organizations and as a member of First United Methodist Church. His favorite pastime was working on the family farm in Elm Mott. He spent countless hours turning an old family place back into a working farm with crops and cattle as well as a show place for family gatherings and social events with friends. Dale retired after a successful 14 year career with the Farm Bureau and moved back to his West Texas roots where he enjoyed spending time with his parents in their later years. He loved seeing the cotton farms and would drive his father around the areas where he farmed and talk about the land they loved. 

Dale was a tall man with a BIG personality and a West Texas drawl. He truly never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone. He enjoyed getting to know other people and hearing their stories.  People would regularly say, “Dale is one of the most sociable people I have ever met.” You would be hard pressed to find a person that didn’t like him, and he rarely had a negative word to say about anyone. Dale was a father first; his career and other interests never came before his duties as dad to Amanda. He was always present at every activity and milestone in her life and she was lucky to always have the “fun dad.” He remained a vital part of his daughter’s life into her adulthood, always ready to help with or supervise her long list of projects and tasks. Dale and Amanda shared their alma mater and it was their fall tradition to attend football games together to cheer on their beloved Red Raiders. He will always hold a very special place in her heart.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Amanda Parr, and former wife, Patricia Ramsey, both of Georgetown, Texas; two sisters, Carrol Baker and husband T.L. of Idalou, and Sammie Slone and husband Mike of Austin; sister-in -law, Marie Parr of Petersburg; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law Ruth Ramsey; and one brother, Don Parr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in the name of Dale Parr to Texas Tech University Foundation/Agriculture Department, P.O. Box 45025, Lubbock, TX 79409, by calling Debra Finlayson at 1-866-448-3888 or online at www.give2tech.com.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Texas Tech University, Kent R. Hance Chapel, 17th and University. A luncheon for all guests will follow the service at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center Courtyard.

Please celebrate Dale’s life by visiting www.combestfamilyfuneralhomes.com.