Government » Enid Walk of Fame » 2001-2010
Mr. Parrish was born December 25, 1910 in Marlow, OK to William Matthew and Mattie Parrish. He was the youngest of nine children.
He moved with his family to Bethany, OK when he was nine years old. After attending Bethany Public Schools, he went on to attend Bethany Peniel College where he was a part of the collegiate gospel quartet for two years. He met and began courting Lillian Martha Vawter in 1928. They married August 4, 1934. She preceded him in death in 1966.
R.C. Parrish was a self-made entrepreneur, beginning his career selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners. He worked for the Jewel T. Company, and during World War II, he moved his family to California where he worked for Douglas Aircraft Co. He was transferred to the Douglas plant in Midwest City, which later became Tinker Air Force Base. When the war ended, he went to work for the George E. Failing Co. in Enid, and then later went to work for Hans Gruner Rock Bit Co. in Ponca City.
In 1951, he started Central Machine and Tool Company out of a chicken house. For six months, RC lived out of his car while he was starting up the new company. After six months, he was able to move his wife, Lillian, and their four children back to Enid. Central Machine was started with only himself and two employees and later became Parrish Enterprises Ltd., employing over 360 people, five subsidiaries, and 14 warehouses for PT Coupling Company in North America. PT Coupling is the leading manufacturer of cam and groove couplings in the world.
His legacy has continued with second and third generations working and running the Parrish Manufacturing Group of companies. Mr. Parrish was a respected member of Enid Lions Club and a life member of the Salvation Army Board. RC was also a long-time member and ardent supporter of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Enid.
