Verdou Parish

Keith Verdou Parish, age 86, of Derby, passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Verdou was born October 11, 1936, in Wichita, to Keith and Gladys Parish. The family moved to Derby when he was in his sophomore year of high school. He graduated from Derby High School and then earned his Bachelors degree in chemistry from Friends University. Verdou worked for the Wichita Eagle and Beacon, the Mutual Benefit Life Company in Wichita and was the former owner of Tri-County Insurance in Belle Plaine. He and Helen Roberta Smith were united in marriage December 29, 1956, at the First Presbyterian Church in Derby. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Derby and Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita. He was an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church, a Mason and served on the board of the Rural Water District #3. Other organizations that he was involved with include the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Nature Conservancy, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Land Trust and Wild Cave. Verdou is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his daughter, Cherie McCormick; brother, Ralph Parish; and sister, ZiRita Parish. Survivors include his son, Eric Parish (Heidi) of Centennial, CO; daughter, Rene Burrow (Tim) of Overland Park; son-in-law, Darrell McCormick of Lenexa; brother, Royce Parish of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Meghan Burrow, Ian Burrow (Alexis), Claire-Rene McCormick, Ethan McCormick, Adam Parish and Luke Parish. He loved his family above all and had a deep appreciation for God’s creation, all things gardening, a good conversation and a good book by a crackling fire. He is loved and will be missed. Visitation with family 1 pm Saturday, November 19, First Presbyterian Church in Derby, 324 N Baltimore Ave. Services for Verdou will begin at 2 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials have been established with First Presbyterian Church, 324 N Baltimore Ave, Derby, KS 67037 and the Derby Public Library, 1600 E. Walnut Grove Rd., Derby, KS 67037.