Obituary for Coach Richard Allen "Dick" Parfitt
PARFITT, RICHARD ALLEN, otherwise known as Coach Dick Parfitt, was born May 13, 1931, in Gratiot County, Michigan, to John and Agnes (Moriarty) Parfitt. Dick was the seventh of seven Parfitt children.
The Parfitt family was very athletic and academically oriented. After graduating from Fulton High School in 1949, Dick followed his three older sisters Marilla, Bess, Charlotte, and brother John to Central Michigan University. While at Central, Dick played basketball and baseball.
After his junior year at CMU, he married Patricia Martin, his high school sweetheart also from Fulton High School’s class of 1949. Pat became secretary in the Central Michigan University’s placement office and was instrumental in landing Dick his first teaching and coaching job in Laingsburg, Michigan, upon his graduation from CMU in 1953.
After two great years in Laingsburg, Dick accepted a teaching and coaching position in Marysville, Michigan from 1955-1962. He then signed with Central Michigan University for the 1962-63 season as assistant basketball coach, assistant baseball coach, and physical education teacher.
Dick moved up to the head coaching position at his alma mater, CMU, in the year 1971. After one year of playing a Division II and NAIA schedule, CMU was accepted into Division I Mid-American Conference. He considered this successful transition to a Division I schedule as one of his highest accomplishments.
The basketball team at CMU under Dick’s tutelage won MAC Championships in 1975, 1977, and 1979. During his tenure, five of his players were drafted into the NBA and had long successful careers. Others played professionally overseas.
Since his retirement in 1985, Coach loved spending time his wife Pat and frequently taking trips to visit their children and grandchildren. They spent many a day on the golf course at Riverwood or in Florida. Coach also played tournament and recreational tennis where at times he held a high national ranking. He also continued to enjoy teaching part time as professor emeritus, contracting physical education classes at CMU. He enjoyed reading, playing cards, and riding his bike.
Mostly Pat and Dick enjoyed social and family gatherings, picnics, cookouts, and reunions. Going to many CMU events was a must.
Dick is survived by his three children, Kurt (Beth) Parfitt of Dexter, MI, Todd Parfitt of Benson, AZ, and daughter Kim (Francisco) Parfitt of Lakewood, CO; three grandchildren Sienna Parfitt (Javod) of Portland, OR, Tyler Parfitt of Ann Arbor, MI, and Ryan Jonker of Colorado Springs, CO. He is survived by his sister-in-law Mary Parfitt, and many great nieces, nephews, and their families.
He is preceded in death by his wife Pat; parents Agnes and John Parfitt; three brothers Russell Parfitt, Henry (Alma) Parfitt, John (Carolyn) Parfitt; three sisters Marilla Parfitt, Bess (Bob) McKinnon, and Charlotte (Bill) Hirschman.
A memorial contribution may be made by clicking the link, https://dar.cmich.edu/alumni/giving/fund/9600019ParfittHold (give.cmich.edu/parfitt_fund) to contribute to CMU Basketball as well as a tree memorial which will be located near the CMU Basketball facility.
A memorial service will take place at a later date. Click the following link to see a slide show tribute to Coach Dick Parfitt. https://www.hdezwebcast.com/video/23462
The Parfitt family was very athletic and academically oriented. After graduating from Fulton High School in 1949, Dick followed his three older sisters Marilla, Bess, Charlotte, and brother John to Central Michigan University. While at Central, Dick played basketball and baseball.
After his junior year at CMU, he married Patricia Martin, his high school sweetheart also from Fulton High School’s class of 1949. Pat became secretary in the Central Michigan University’s placement office and was instrumental in landing Dick his first teaching and coaching job in Laingsburg, Michigan, upon his graduation from CMU in 1953.
After two great years in Laingsburg, Dick accepted a teaching and coaching position in Marysville, Michigan from 1955-1962. He then signed with Central Michigan University for the 1962-63 season as assistant basketball coach, assistant baseball coach, and physical education teacher.
Dick moved up to the head coaching position at his alma mater, CMU, in the year 1971. After one year of playing a Division II and NAIA schedule, CMU was accepted into Division I Mid-American Conference. He considered this successful transition to a Division I schedule as one of his highest accomplishments.
The basketball team at CMU under Dick’s tutelage won MAC Championships in 1975, 1977, and 1979. During his tenure, five of his players were drafted into the NBA and had long successful careers. Others played professionally overseas.
Since his retirement in 1985, Coach loved spending time his wife Pat and frequently taking trips to visit their children and grandchildren. They spent many a day on the golf course at Riverwood or in Florida. Coach also played tournament and recreational tennis where at times he held a high national ranking. He also continued to enjoy teaching part time as professor emeritus, contracting physical education classes at CMU. He enjoyed reading, playing cards, and riding his bike.
Mostly Pat and Dick enjoyed social and family gatherings, picnics, cookouts, and reunions. Going to many CMU events was a must.
Dick is survived by his three children, Kurt (Beth) Parfitt of Dexter, MI, Todd Parfitt of Benson, AZ, and daughter Kim (Francisco) Parfitt of Lakewood, CO; three grandchildren Sienna Parfitt (Javod) of Portland, OR, Tyler Parfitt of Ann Arbor, MI, and Ryan Jonker of Colorado Springs, CO. He is survived by his sister-in-law Mary Parfitt, and many great nieces, nephews, and their families.
He is preceded in death by his wife Pat; parents Agnes and John Parfitt; three brothers Russell Parfitt, Henry (Alma) Parfitt, John (Carolyn) Parfitt; three sisters Marilla Parfitt, Bess (Bob) McKinnon, and Charlotte (Bill) Hirschman.
A memorial contribution may be made by clicking the link, https://dar.cmich.edu/alumni/giving/fund/9600019ParfittHold (give.cmich.edu/parfitt_fund) to contribute to CMU Basketball as well as a tree memorial which will be located near the CMU Basketball facility.
A memorial service will take place at a later date. Click the following link to see a slide show tribute to Coach Dick Parfitt. https://www.hdezwebcast.com/video/23462