How do you begin to describe a life in just a few moments…
The story begins in Columbus Georgia where he was born to Mary and Jerry Parrish, on April 24th 1971. He spent his childhood years growing up in Michigan along with his brother Vance.
Darick was a creative, mischievous, and funny child.
He always enjoyed and showed an appreciation for story telling. Vance and Darick would spend many nights creating stories with their stuffed animals. Darick always controlled DooDoo – a snoopy dog (think of Linus). Vance and Darick created a saga of stories for DooDoo, Tuffy, Speedy, Scrappy and others and their ongoing adventures.
Next Darick moved into his cool years filled with break dancing, the latest trends in fashion and impeccable hair. It was the 80s…what else can I say. Although at times he was shy, he used his lightning quick wit to break the ice, instantly winning hearts and creating lifelong friends.
After high school, while on a cruise with his dear friend and mentor Tom Baty, Darick met the love of his life. He went home and told stories of the girl he would marry. Monie, by the way, also returned home to Orange County and also told stories of a dreamy guy she’d met and knew was her soul mate. Darick soon headed west with two cheesy, hand-me-down suits from Vance and jars of spare change for gas, from his family, to begin his new relationship with Monie and break into acting.
He began his adventures in TV land as a production assistant, riding a bicycle through the Warner Bros lot delivering mail. With his eagerness and willingness to learn anything and everything, he evolved quickly into a valuable resource in the television industry. He found himself completely at home in the quirky, absurd world of MadTV. He had a dry sense of humor and a quick sharp wit.
Darick was devoted to Focus Dance Center. He and Monie worked as a team to create an environment that was safe and filled with creativity, love and passion for dance. A place where someone from 1 to 99 could come to enjoy the art of dance. His great joy at Focus was creating signature pieces for the annual concert series. During one of these concerts, he even brought a live vulture to the stage. His creativity was indeed boundless.
Darick had an inherent wisdom – many said he was wise beyond his years. His ability to connect to others’ needs and embrace them as his own made people around him feel loved and cherished. He gave to people selflessly, without reserve.
Darick had a thirst for knowledge and took it upon himself to constantly increase his knowledge. He wanted to know everything about everything – why is it…how does it…what is it…with this limitless desire for knowledge, his growth was constant!
Sometimes Darick seemed too much of Darick for his own good!
Someone very dear once said – when Darick hugged you, you stayed hugged.