The Yazoo Herald

Former Mississippi Chemical Corp. CEO Tom Parry died Wednesday at age 85.
Funeral services are today at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Ridgeland.
Thomas Conquest Parry Jr. was born on March 17, 1928, in Moultrie, Ga. to Thomas C. and Juanita Moore Parry.  After graduation from Moultrie High School, where he was President of the student body, he attended University of Kentucky on a trumpet scholarship and graduated from University of Georgia, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.
His military duty in the Korean Conflict was served in Busan as Director of the Sixth division Army band.
He became associated with Mississippi Chemical Corporation in 1955. He served as Vice President of Finance, Executive Vice President, and was named CEO in 1973.  He served as CEO for 20 years until his retirement.  Under his leadership, Mississippi Chemical earned cumulative profits of  $500 million dollars, and annual sales and assets tripled.  He was instrumental in acquisition and development of mines and plants in many parts of the country. He served on boards of many professional and community organizations, including The Fertilizer Institute, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Bank of Yazoo City, Farm Credit Bank, Mississippi Arts Association, Mississippi Economic Council, and Public Education Forum of Mississippi. The Tom C. Parry Journalism Scholarship was established at the Mississippi Press Association, and  Mr. Parry was recognized in 1990 by Mississippi Business Journal as a Captain of Industry.  
Tom was an avid sports fan as well as accomplished chef.  He enjoyed time in Destin and at his land in Flora with his family and friends.
He was a member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Ridgeland and an associate member of Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, Florida.  Tom loved and served the Lord throughout his life.
Tom is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy McNeil Parry, his daughter Wilma VanLandingham (Paul), sons Tom Parry III (Betty) and Dr. Wilson Parry (Lauren), brother Louis Parry (Joyce),  grandchildren Dr.  Matthew VanLandingham (Lauren), Parry VanLandingham, Neil VanLandingham, Daniel Parry, Joe Parry, Elizabeth Wilks Parry, Grace Parry, and Virginia Parry, and niece Tiffany Kelly (Stephen) .