In Memory of David Rex Parris

The Embodiment of a Gentleman
To the editor:
I first met Rex Parris back in the late 1960’s while serving as director of the Appalachian Christian Service camp in Unicoi, Tenn.
Rex walked up and said, “Hello Coach, can I tell you something”? I said, “Yes, you can.” He said “I know who you are and one of these days I am going to play baseball for you at Milligan.”
And that he did. He played first base and was a standout athlete. He led the team with a fielding average of .979 and hit a game winning home run to win the VSAC Championship against Belmont in 1972.
More importantly he was the “Embodiment of a Gentleman” and an exceptional student. He was truly a wonderful reflection of God’s love in everyday life and in sports.
Rex was a great representative of baseball and Milligan College. I consider it a privilege to have coached Rex for four years at Milligan and consider myself a better coach because of his dedication to excellence.
I am proud of the fact I had a relationship with you through Milligan College baseball. I am in gratitude for the time we spent together at Milligan. We both enjoyed experiencing baseball and life together. I am thankful our friendship continued long after our years at Milligan.
I know who you were, I know what you were and I know God sent you into my life and someday I am going to rejoice with you in heaven. I look forward to praising God with you and then we’ll “talk some baseball.”
I truly look forward to that day Rex. Until then, you will be greatly missed.

Coach Harold Stout
Elizabethton