Jan 28, 2017 George Grant Parry
George Grant Parry, 87, passed away peacefully in Castle Rock Colorado on Tuesday December 20th, 2016. A memorial service was held at Castle Rock Calvary Chapel
on January 14, 2017.
George was born on Oct 7 1929 in Easton, PA, to Grant and Kathleen Parry. The family, including a younger brother Dave, moved to Mountain Lakes New Jersey where George was raised. After high school he joined the Air Force and served as an Air Traffic Controller in Alaska. He then attended Paul Smith’s College in Saranac Lake, NY. majoring in Hotel Management. His family purchased a summer hotel in the Adirondacks called Holly Lodge which George managed until it was sold in 1963.
In 1958, George married Carolyn Hiatt. They spent winters in Aspen and summers in the Adirondacks before settling permanently in Aspen in 1963. George and Carolyn were married for twenty years, during which time they raised their three children in a house that George built on Sneaky Lane. He was a ski instructor throughout his time in Aspen and owned several businesses over the years, including the Copper Horse and the Whale of a Wash. He was cofounder of the Aspen Yacht Club at Ruedi reservoir and was an avid sailboat racer, winning state and national titles. George served two terms on the Aspen City Council and ran for County Commissioner in the 1970’s.
In 1978, George married Terry Murray. They lived in the Snowbunny neighborhood with George’s daughter Laura and Terry’s two son’s Chris and Ian. In her tribute, Terry wrote “I can see him easily standing on a curved rock face at Lake Powell, or demonstrating in perfect slow motion, how to ski a mogul”.
In the late 80’s George and Terry divorced and George moved to Ventura California where he cared for his aging parents and pursued a variety of enterprises. He married Joyce Littlejohn and they enjoyed their later years together. They could be found ballroom dancing, going on cruises or, vacationing with friends at Lake Powel.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David and daughter Laura. He is survived by his wife Joyce (Littlejohn), his daughter Amy Collier and husband Rob; and his son George Jr. and wife Launie. George is also survived by his five loving grandchildren: Katherine and Sarah Parry, Jessica Akerman (Casey), Christopher Caldwell and, Daniel Caldwell (Noelle) with their three great grandchildren.
