On this day–Wednesday, October 22, 1975–Charles E. Parish passed away. Parish had been an important force for the Council in the early years of Ward Akers. Parish served as the Council President from 1957-1958. During these years, Parish spearheaded much of the work that led to the creation of the Old Hickory Lake Boxwell, helping get the 1957 legislation granting the land passed as well as developing the plan for what would be Boxwell Reservation.

A long time Tullahoma resident, Parish was also an Eagle Scout. The 1960 Class of Eagles was in his honor He was also awarded the Silver Beaver in 1948. Because of his continued work with the Council, the Rock Island Boxwell was renamed the Charles E. Parish Wilderness Reservation in his honor as part of the 1972 Capital Development Campaign. This was a fitting name change as Rock Island was close to Tullahoma and Parish’s son John had served on the Rock Island staff for several years.

Parish died in Park View Hospital in Nashville and was buried in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, TN. He was 67 years old.