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OREGON REMEMBERS ARTHUR M. PARROW MARCH 4, 1922 - HAVANA, NORTH DAKOTA SEPTEMBER 13, 2003 - VERNONIA, OREGON ARTHUR M. PARROW was born on March 4, 1922 on a farm near Havana, North Dakota, the fifth child of eight born to Arthur Parrow, Sr. and Anna Decker Parrow. His early education through high school was in the Havana schools. Upon graduation from high school, he enrolled in college. His college education was interrupted by World War II. He was inducted into the Army in 1942 and served as a military policemen at several U.S. posts and in combat in the Philippines and Okinawa. He was discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1946 and resumed his college education. On Decembeer 27, 1946, Arthur Parrow and Enid Ruth Staehnke were married in Cayuga, North Dakota. In 1948, Mr. Parrow graduated from State Normal and Industrial College in Ellendale, North Dakota with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education. He later studied at the University of Minnesota and the University of Oregon, earning a degree of Master of Education from the University of Oregon in 1957. Upon graduation from State Normal and Industrial College, Mr. Parrow began a long career in education as a teacher and coach at the Clark County High School in Dubois, Idaho. In 1951, he and his family moved to Dufur, Oregon where he was principal and superintendent of the school district for 17 years. In 1968, the Parrow family moved to Vernonia where Mr. Parrow served as the high school principal for 12 years and as superintendent of the Vernonia School District for 4 years, until his retirement in 1984. Mr. Parrow was known for his life-long service as an educator and a public servant. He was a long-time member of the Vernonia Lions Club, a board member of the Oregon School Activities Association, and active member of the Confederation of Oregon Shcool Administrators, and board member and chairman of the Columbia County Education Service District and the Northwest Education Service District. He also served the Vernonia community as a member of the city buget committee, library board, planning commission, and as mayor. Mr. Parrow was preceded in death by a son David and four of his brothers and sisters: Mary Cookson of Eugene; Michael of Veblen, South Dakota; Mathias of Havana; and Earnest of Havana. He is survived by Enid, his wife of 56 years; five children: Douglas of Keizer, Darlene of Portland, Randall of Vernonia, Karen of Portland, and Melodie of Hillsboro; one brother: Donavon of Lansford, North Dakota; two sisters: Eileen Parrow Waldera of Cayuga, North Dakota and Elaine Parrow Waldera of Mandan, North Dakota; 7 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. Gardening was among his many interests. He grew more than 300 varieties of dahlias for several seasons. He also was an active woodworker and had an extensive stamp collection. A celebration of his life will be held on September 28 at 1:00 pm at Vernonia High School. All are invited to join the family for a potluck dinner at the Vernonia Community Church immediately afterward. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be directed to the Vernonia Lions Club Scholarship Program or the Dufur Alumni Scholarship Fund.

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