Dr. Ronald "Ed" Parrish

Augusta, GA – Dr. Ronald Edward “Ed” Parrish passed away on November 22, 2025. Dr. Parrish was the son of William Parrish and Dalhia Salter, and the stepson of Mabel Parrish and Carnish Salter.

Ed was born in Augusta, Georgia, on May 10, 1932. He attended John Milledge Elementary School and graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in 1949. Ed enjoyed and excelled in sports and participated in track, baseball, football, and basketball. Baseball was his first love and passion. He pitched his first no-hitter at the age of 14 and played American Legion Baseball for four years. He was chosen as the most outstanding athlete out of 1,500 cadets at the Academy of Richmond County. Ed was considered an up-and-coming star by many major league teams and even pitched a game against the professional team, the Augusta Tigers.

Ed was a starting pitcher for the University of Georgia for four years, making the All-SEC First Team his junior and senior years. He signed an MLB contract with the “New York Giants” (then referred to as the “New Giants”) and was assigned to AA baseball in Jesup, Georgia. Unfortunately, a career-ending injury to his right hand and wrist in his second year ended his time as a player. He later served briefly as a pitching scout for the Philadelphia Phillies before deciding to attend dental school.

His academic career was just as impressive as his athletic one. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, then earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Emory University School of Dentistry. He later completed both a Master’s degree and a Doctorate from Emory University. Ed conducted groundbreaking research on a new drug being developed by Parke-Davis, known today as Benadryl. After earning his Master’s degree, he returned to Augusta, Georgia, where he established a periodontal specialty practice.

Ed was a member of the Augusta Dental Society, the Georgia Dental Society, the American Dental Association, the Eastern District Dental Society, and the Georgia Dental Association. He was also a member of the American Society of Periodontics and the Georgia Society of Periodontics, and he was an honorable fellow and diplomat of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Ed was a pioneer in the field of implant dentistry. Along with his mentors and colleagues—Dr. Hilt Tatum, Drs. Roberts, Dr. Douglas Clepper, and the Alabama Implant Study Club—he helped bring dental implants into the modern era.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepparents, William Parrish (Mabel) and Dahlia Salter (Carnish); by his sons, Michael Parrish and Ronald Parrish; and by Dot Gearhart and Francis Parrish, the mothers of his three children. He is survived by his wife, Glenda Parrish; his brother, Buck Salter (Peggy); and his daughter, Dr. Margaret Parrish. He is also survived by Glenda’s children: Kimberly Bridges (Christopher), Paul Merowitz (Bretton), Dean McKenzie (Holly), Nyna Bilder, and Tom Snively. Numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews will also miss his presence.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and medical staff who provided extraordinary care and compassion to Dr. Parrish, especially Jessica Radke and Gloria Maddox.

The pallbearers for our service are Buck Salter, Michael Curley, Dean McKenzie, Paul Merowitz, Christopher Bridges, and Jimmy Blackwell. The honorary pallbearers are Dr. Richard L. Clardy and Dr. Ti Hidges.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, with The Reverend Dr. Joe Bowden officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.