Rhea James Parry passed away peacefully on October 7, 2026, in Price, Utah, at the age of 101. Born on September 15, 1925, in Soldier Summit, Utah, she was the daughter of Frank J. and Elizabeth Leona Seeley James.
Parry was a longtime resident of Carbon County and a graduate of Carbon High School. Throughout her life, she held various roles, including working as a lifeguard at the Helper Pool, a waitress at Diamanti’s Café and the Carbon Country Club, and a clerk at Helper State Bank. She also served as a dietician at both Carbon Hospital and Castleview Hospital.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in numerous callings. Her personal interests included gardening, the Utah Jazz, the New York Yankees, canning, baking, sewing, and traveling to Mesquite and Wendover with her family.
Parry married Thomas Melrose "Mel" Parry on March 11, 1944, in Helper, Utah. Thomas preceded her in death on June 19, 2001.
She is survived by her children: Jim (Karen) Parry of Blaine, WA; Ron (Mary) Parry of Colorado Springs, CO; Mike (Kathy) Parry of Helper, UT; Greg (Ann) Parry of Wellington, UT; Karen (Dan) Grimaud of Riverton, UT; Cindy Nielsen of Helper, UT; and Melanie (Mark) Scott of Walla Walla, WA. She also leaves behind 29 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 22 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers—Frank, Earl, Glen, and Donald—her sister Donna Chiaretta, and her son-in-law Brian Nielsen.
The family expressed gratitude to Parkdale Health and Rehab, Symbii Home Health and Hospice, and Mitchell Funeral Home for their care.
Visitation will be held on October 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, located at 233 East Main Street, Price, UT. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the old Helper Stake Center. Interment will take place at Mt. View Cemetery in Helper, Utah.
