DENNIS J. PARRA

Dennis Joseph Parra made his journey back to the Creator on August 14, 2022, at age 67 years. He was born June 1, 1995, to Raphael Parra, Sr., and Elizabeth (Pancho) Parra of Ventana Village, Arizona.

Dennis left the Tohono O'odham reservation to continue his education at Hartford High School in Connecticut with the "A Better Chance" (ABC) Program. After graduation, he continued his education and played football at Dartmouth College. He graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a degree in Business and Theatre. He was one of the first National Native Americans certified to deliver AIDS Education for the CDC. He became a consultant and speaker for the University of Oklahoma Wellness Conferences, training various tribal nations in the United States and Canada. Dennis returned to his reservation to teach and coach at Tohono O'odham High School, taking his Eagles football and Lady Eagles basketball teams to the playoffs. He later worked as the director of Tohono O'odham Scholarship and Elderly Programs. He moved to Broken Bow with wife Faith and daughter A' An to continue his work with schools and students. He served as Director of Indian Education Programs/ JOM for the Broken Bow and currently for Wright City Public Schools. Dennis was a co-founder of the AILYC Powwow, hosting planning meetings in his living room. He helped coach the Choctaw Nation Language Team of BBHS to 1st Place every time they entered the Oklahoma University Native American Youth Language Fair. Dennis is a fluent speaker of the Tohono O'odham language and facilitated Choctaw language classes. Always an advocate for culture, tradition and education, Dennis never forgot how he was raised in the traditional O'odham way.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Raphael, Sr. & Elizabeth Parra; his older brother Phillip Parra, Sr.; and his sons, Nicholas Parra, Sr. and Ramon – Encinas, and all who wait to welcome him to the Big Feast.

He leaves to carry on his legacy, his wife Faith Hlampkochi (Jacob) Parra; son Jonathan Parra, Sr. & wife Lindsay of Tucson, Arizona; and daughters Rena Encinas of Tucson, Arizona, and A'An Parra of Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

Grandchildren include Cheyenne, Nellita, Jonathan Jr., Leleana, James and Engel, and Nicholas, Jr. and Alexander Parra. He will be greatly missed by friends and family.

 Visitation Monday, August 15,2022 from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at Bunch Singleton Funeral Home 

Funeral Service Tuesday August 16,2022 at 10:00 a.m. Bunch Singleton Chapel.