James Parrish, retired professor of library administration at the Library of the Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chica-go (UIC), died on May 3, 2003. During his twenty-one years of service there (1971–92), Parrish coordinated external programs and provided serials reference and technical services. From 1973 to 1986, he compiled and edited Illinois Health and Science Libraries Serials Holding List. Earlier, Parrish headed the Hawaii Medical Library (1968–71) and served at other medical libraries, including that of the Manned Spacecraft Center.
Parrish joined MLA in 1960 and was certified that same year. Active nationally and regionally, offices he held included
Southern Regional Group local arrangements chair (1965)
Pittsburgh Regional Group chair (1967–68)
Hawaii Regional Group founder and chair (1969–71)
Sergeant-at-Arms (1979, 1981–83)
Exchange Advisory Group chair-designate and chair (1988–90)
Parrish was also active in the Special Libraries Association and the then Midwest Health Science Library Network. He was a founding member of the Metropolitan Consortium of Chicago.
Born in Nashville on May 23, 1926, Parrish graduated from high school in 1944, then served with the U.S. Naval Reserve in World War II (1944–46) and the Korean conflict (1950–52). Between times he attended Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in 1953. He received his library degree from George Peabody College in 1955.
Mr. Parrish, as his colleagues addressed him, was a team player before work teams became common in libraries. He was a mentor before mentoring emerged as an important institutional value. He was sociable, friendly, thoughtful, and kind, a true colleague and friend to those with whom he worked. He helped form, create, and sustain professional organizations at all levels, as he possessed a special genius for bringing librarians to work together. At UIC, Parrish smoothed the way for success by identifying and then contributing whatever the process needed, whether it was to compile committee minutes or organize a celebratory lunch after completing a project (to which he always brought his incredibly fine deviled eggs).