Frank David Parrott, 93, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026, at his home.

He was born on February 10, 1933, on the family farm in Kinston, North Carolina. From an early age, he had a fascination with airplanes. During high school, he worked part-time taxiing airplanes at Jackson Airfield in Kinston. This experience reinforced his desire to become a pilot. After graduating from Grainger High School, he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program at North Carolina State University. There, he made many lifelong friends at the Sig Ep house. He graduated in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

Dave started his career in the military as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. During this time, he piloted the F-84 Thunderstreak and was especially proud of earning an outstanding rating at the Fighter Weapons Training School, which was a forerunner to the modern-day Top Gun. He then transferred to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas and piloted the world's first supersonic fighter, the F-100A Super Sabre, and later the F-100C. During this period of the Cold War, safety took a backseat to progress, and the planes experienced a 40% crash rate, which took the lives of many pilots, including his childhood best friend.

After retiring from active duty, he joined the Air National Guard and began his engineering career with Rocketdyne Corporation in Los Angeles. There, he obtained a patent working on the F-1 rocket engine, which propelled the Saturn V rocket in the Apollo space program. Dave finished his engineering career with a six-year stint at Douglas Aircraft in North Carolina, where he designed both solid-fuel and liquid-propelled rockets.

In 1966, he joined his father-in-law, R.B. Taylor's business, Taylor Furniture in Savannah, Georgia, as a general manager. In 1976, he retired from the Georgia National Guard after a total of 21 years of service, having obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During this time, he flew over 16 types of aircraft, including the F-86L, Lockheed Constellation, and the C-130.

His third career in commercial real estate began by transforming a vacant building into Parrott Furniture and later a shopping center.

Dave was a very social person and was a member of the Savannah Yacht Club, Quarterback Club, Kiwanis Club, Landings Club, Quiet Birdmen, and Savannah Association of Flying National Guard. He was also a member of Isle of Hope United Methodist Church for almost 50 years and later found a new home at Skidaway Island Methodist Church.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Dibble Parrott and Nancy Rebecca Wade Parrott; his sister, Blanche Parrott Olson; and wife of 24 years, Carol Hall Parrott.

He is survived by his son, Frank Taylor Parrott (Tonia); his daughter, Jennifer Dempsey (Patrick); his three grandchildren, Brandy Parrott, Hunter Dempsey, and Carson Dempsey (Reagan); his one great-grandchild, Bentley Carmichael; as well as his beloved extended family, including his two nieces, nephew, and cousins.

He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12th, at 2:00 p.m. at Skidaway Island Methodist Church. Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Dave's life with a reception in the church social hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway or NC State University ROTC Air Force Enhancement Fund.

https://www.kiwanisofskidaway.com/

https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/47387/donations/new?a=8830926