2020 Arlis Parkhurst
PARKHURST, Arlis B Arlis B Parkhurst passed away at his home in Dallas on July 2, 2020. Arlis was born in Seminole, Oklahoma, on January 17, 1937, to Vera Marie and Arlis Beckham Parkhurst. The Parkhurst family lived in Cushing, Oklahoma, where Arlis’s Father was employed as a pipeline engineer for Shell Oil Company. The family moved to Colorado City, Texas, in 1947, when Arlis was in grade school.
He excelled at sports, especially football. He was all-district and a three year starter for the Colorado City High School Wolverines. Arlis graduated from high school in 1955 and entered the University of Texas in Austin on a full athletic scholarship. At UT, Arlis successfully balanced the rigors of obtaining a degree in Geology with the endeavors of playing football and enjoying the many life-long friends he made as a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He played on the UT Longhorn football team for three years, wearing No. 55 on his jersey. He became close friends with Coach Darrell Royal, a friendship that lasted through the years. Arlis loved to tell the story that when he returned to UT for his last season, 25 pounds overweight (due to a summer of hamburgers, french fries and fried pies), Coach Royal said: “Arlis, I never had a captain that didn’t make the traveling squad.” Arlis got the message and was promoted back to first string for the first game (25 pounds lighter). He had a stellar season (except for the loss of “some teeth” in the Rice game), and was selected for the 1958 North-South Shrine Bowl played that year in the Orange Bowl in Miami.
After his senior year, he served as an assistant coach for the freshmen squad while completing his studies at UT. Upon graduation from UT, Arlis enlisted in the U.S.Marines, serving six months on active duty and six years in the Reserves. Upon completion of Marine boot camp, he was selected the outstanding recruit in his unit. Arlis moved to Dallas in 1961 and was employed by the Henry S. Miller Company, learning the ropes of being a real estate broker. Arlis subsequently struck out on his own, working as a broker on many major transactions, especially in undeveloped land.
In 2003, Arlis met Beverly Ray through mutual friends in Newport Beach, California. Beverly grew up in Ft. Worth and was able to appreciate the laconic personality of this fine man. She wasn’t going to let him get away. While on a visit to Lake Tahoe,
Beverly asked, “Arlis, do you think we ought to get married?” Arlis’s answer: “Probly.” She accepted that as a “Yes.” They were married on December 31, 2005, at the Balboa Bay Club, followed by a celebration that evening at a New Years Eve Party at the Club. Many friends from Texas and California attended. A few days later, the newlyweds and their guests viewed UT’s victory over USC in the Rose Bowl.
It was indeed a memorable week for all who attended. Beverly and Arlis moved to Dallas in 2007 where they established a beautiful home. Arlis spent his time with Beverly enjoying their Dallas and Ft. Worth friends, reading, and protecting their chickens from bobcats and coyotes. He cherished his dogs, especially “Big Boy,” a Great Pyrenees sheep dog, whose name is the same name given to Arlis by his fraternity brothers. The Parkhursts and their pets managed to survive the destructive 2019 tornado, which went right over their home. A highlight of their time together was a weekend visit to Austin in April, 2015, attending a Phi Gam class reunion, touring the new buildings on campus and sailing the waters of Lake Austin aboard the Riverboat Commodore, the same sternwheeler on which Arlis and his friends often sailed when they were in school. Arlis appreciated the opportunity for Beverly to meet some of his long-time friends and their spouses.
Arlis never forgot his West Texas roots. He established The Arlis Parkhurst Endowed Scholarship at the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation which provides tuition grants with an emphasis on trade and technical schools for students from smaller West Texas communities. Arlis’ scholarship is currently funding tuition grants to 20 students.
He also donated to the Texas Legacy Support Network, a tax exempt, that offers temporary financial assistance to qualifying former Longhorn student-athletes.
Arlis is survived by Beverly and his nephew, Scott Winton and wife, Jenny. Beverly wishes to send her most grateful thanks to Arlis’ caregivers and medical team at UT Southwestern, especially Dr. Hak Choy, Dr. Randall Hughes, and Dr. Thomas Chiu. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation, P.O. Box 151027, Austin, TX 78715, or to UTSouthwestern Medical Center to support the Department of Radiation Oncology, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, TX 75391-0888, or online at engage.utsouth western.edu. A celebration of the life of Arlis B Parkhurst is being planned. He was indeed a fine man and will be sorely missed by his many friends and family.
