Art Parrott, retired Kern County educator, died at home on March 23, 2010 at the age of 86. Granville Arthur Parrott was born in Sabine Parish, Louisiana on July 16, 1923 to May Arthur and Edmond G. Parrott. He grew up in Stockton California where he graduated from high school in 1940. He received his A.A. degree from Stockton College in 1942 and started attending the University of the Pacific in Stockton. His academic studies were interrupted by World War II; he served three years in the U.S. Army and was a Staff Sergeant at the time of his discharge. He completed his studies with a degree in Spanish in 1947, followed by a graduate year to complete a secondary teaching credential. He began his teaching career at Wasco High School as a Spanish teacher in 1948 and taught there until 1967. During the 1954-55 school year he took a leave of absence made possible by a study grant from the Ford Foundation. He attended classes at Middlebury College in Vermont, followed by a year of study in Spain, both at the University of Madrid and the University of Salamanca, where he received a Diploma in Spanish Philology. As culmination to that academic year he was awarded a Master of Arts degree from Middlebury College. Art was awarded a Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California in 1967. During his tenure at Wasco High School he conducted several student trips to Mexico and Cuba. Art was recruited by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office as a Foreign Language Consultant in 1967. He also served as Secondary Coordinator and Coordinator of Migrant Education. In 1980 he was appointed to chair accreditation committees at schools for Americans in Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore and Medan, Indonesia. He was accompanied by his wife and they used that opportunity to travel as well to Hong Kong and Japan. He retired in 1989. After retirement, the two of them traveled widely in the United States and Canada in their motor home. Art was a life member of both The Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He was a member (and President) of the Wasco 20-30 club, long time member of the Wasco Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, a life member of the Bakersfield Elks Lodge and an associate member of the Wasco Elks Lodge. He served on the Wasco Planning Commission for eight years, including serving as chairman. He built and donated the round rose in the Wasco City Hall meeting chamber. He was a member of the Wasco United Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He would tell you that the special moments in his life are represented by the wedding ceremony in 1957, where he exchanged vows with both his wife Norma and her daughter Debra, who he adopted. The birth of his son Robert in 1958 and a home-made plaque presented to Grandpa Art as the favorite picture taker by the Wasco Parent Participation Preschool from his grandson, Bradley. He would also tell you that he was preceded in death by his beloved West Highland terrier, Mac, who is waiting for him just this side of heaven at the "Rainbow Bridge". He is survived by his wife, Norma Parrott of Wasco, California, his children, Debra Parrott of Gold River, CA; Robert Parrott and wife Debbie Parrott of Wasco California and three grandchildren, Matthew Poettgen and his wife Sarah, Amanda Rodriquez and her husband, Ryan and Bradley Parrott. He had one great grandchild, two-month old Molly Sue Rodriquez. The memorial service, with reception to follow, will be held at the United Methodist Church in Wasco on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 11am and will be officiated by Pastor Scott Allred. A graveside service will be held at 10am and will be officiated by Wasco Elks Lodge and the Associated Veterans of Kern County. Donations may be made to the Wasco Community Scholarship Fund or to the United Methodist Church, Wasco.