Edward Lee Parham

Edward Lee Parham, age 77, died August 21, 2011 of natural causes at his home in Benton, Arkansas. He was born on January 12, 1934 to Edward and Bernice Parham of New Edinburg, AR . Growing up he loved to hunt, fish, and play basketball. After graduating from New Edinburg High School in 1952, he attended Arkansas A&M for three years. He then transferred to Lewis & Clark College of Portland, Oregon where he earned a B.S. in chemistry. He was drafted into the United States Army and applied for Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1957, and shortly thereafter married Sandra Blankinship of Warren, Arkansas. He later transferred to the Army Chemical Corp (Airmobile) under the command of Colonel Hal Moore in Vietnam during 1965. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement. He retired after 21 years of active duty with the rank of Lt. Colonel and started a new career as a civilian employee at Pine Bluff Arsenal. He spent 16 years developing safe disposal programs for the Army's chemical weapons stockpile. During this time he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Edward Lee was a man of many hobbies. He was a passionate gardener, raising large crops of tomatoes and other vegetables, which he generously shared with others. He handcrafted handles for antique axes and hatchets for his friends. Edward Lee is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sandra, his son, Scott, his daughter, Joni Love, and four grandchildren: Cory and her husband Russell Carey, Cristy Parham, and Nick and Noah Love. A memorial service will be held at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24th. Visitation with the family will be held from 1-2 p.m. Memorials may be made to New Edinburg First United Methodist Church, or Free House Cemetery, P.O. Box 226 Fordyce, Ark. 71712.