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CLAUDIA JEANNE PARRISH
July 2, 1951 Nov. 5, 2016
Claudia Parrish K

Claudia Jeanne Parrish went peacefully into the hands of the Lord on November 5, 2016 after a short battle with cancer. Claudia was born on July 2, 1951 in Visalia, CA to parents Rex and Yvonne Parrish and grew up in the Los Angeles area. Upon graduation, Claudia attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She received a BS in Animal Science, an MS in Agriculture. She attended Chapman University, Orange Co., getting her teaching credential and also studied Supplements in Agriculture, Home Economics and Industrial and Technology Education. She was a Registered Veterinary Technician. Claudia was a vivacious, outgoing woman who enjoyed life to the fullest. She loved horseback riding, camping, traveling, square dancing, teaching, and generally living life to the max! She recently sat down and counted up all the jobs she’d had, and ended up with 42! She said with pride “I was never fired from any of them!” She always loved a challenge and could do almost anything she put her mind to. She loved animals and was a cattle rancher in the Mojave Desert with her first husband, Scott Blair. When she moved to Turlock in 1989 she found work with General Mills in Lodi, was Production and Label Line Supervisor at Tri Valley Growers, operated her business, Paws @ Home Pet Sitting Service, an Adult Education Instructor in Oakdale, and even delivered the Modesto Bee. She recently retired from her position as Ag Inspector for Stanislaus County, a job she loved because she spent lots of time outside and working with farmers and ranchers. Claudia’s love of horses led her to join the Backcountry Horsemen of California, Mid Valley Unit. Besides helping to clear trails and improve campsites, she also organized many rides and campouts. She was also very involved with the 9 to 99 Tuolumne River Cleanup Project in Modesto.
Claudia had a deep faith and was always helping those in need. She was committed to the Community United Methodist Church in Oakdale and Centenary Methodist Church in Modesto where she organized many mission projects, including: New Orleans, Arkansas, Guatemala and Chile. She found much joy in helping others. Her other great passion was traveling and she was a fantastic trip planner! She made several trips to Hawaii with friends and family, China, Costa Rica, Panama and a train trip across Canada from Niagara Falls to Vancouver to name a few. She was always looking for the next adventure. Unfortunately, her illness cut short her quest for the next big trip. Claudia was preceded in death by her mother, Yvonne Parrish. She is survived by her father Rex Parrish, her stepdaughter, Morgan Sandoval, and five-week old step granddaughter, Marceline, and The Rob and Kate Blair Family of Essex, CA. She also leaves behind many, many friends who will greatly miss her laughter and smiles.
A Celebration of Claudia’s Life is planned for January 17, 2017 at 11 a.m. at The Centenary Methodist Church, 1911 Toyon Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350.
Donations in Claudia’s name can be made to the following: Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar Street, Oakdale, CA 95361; Centenary Methodist Church, 1911 Toyon Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350; Porch de Salomon, P.O. Box 10509, Tallahassee, FL 32302-2509; Backcountry Horsemen of California, Mid Valley Unit, P.O. Box 1709, Modesto, CA 95353.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Nov. 23, 2016