Charles (Charlie) Gallagher Parr
April 21, 1985 - September 2, 2021
Charles (Charlie) Gallagher Parr died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm in Denver on Thursday, September 2, 2021. He was 36 years old.
Charlie was the embodiment of our collective adventurous spirit. If you knew Charlie, you loved him. His encyclopedic knowledge of world history combined with a brilliant mind and love for conversation afforded many wonderful debates amongst friends, family, and even strangers. He had an easy way with people that made you feel like you had known him forever, and a gift for bringing people together.
His parents taught him to fly fish when he was nine. Thereafter, Charlie spent summers exploring the mountains and rivers of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. Following graduation from Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City, Charlie threw himself into a life dedicated to the outdoors. While pursuing degrees in both History and Political Science at Colorado College, Charlie led outdoor education trips for Sanborn Camps, engaged in conservation work, and was involved in planning and executing many backcountry excursions. After graduation, Charlie dedicated his professional life to sharing nature with others. As Co-Founder and Director of Rocky Mountain and International Programs at Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions (named the 2021 Orvis-Endorsed Outfitter of the Year), he helped hundreds of young men and women fall in love with fly fishing and the mountains. Charlie strapped on a backpack and led participants in his outdoor wilderness camps on multi-day long treks to their first high mountain lakes, streams, and rivers, teaching them the importance of conservation, and how to catch and release trout like an expert. However, as one camper has written, they often learned as many life lessons from Charlie on those expeditions as fishing tips. During the winter months, Charlie loved to spend time in Crested Butte. An expert skier who competed in the US Extreme Skiing Championships and the prestigious Crested Butte Snowblade Extremes, his unique skiing form earned him the nickname “The Oklahoma Oil Hammer” on the hill. He chased powder all over the world, skiing in Europe, the Himalayas, and New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
Charlie loved many people throughout his life, but found his soul mate when he met Jessica Rice. In 2009, they began a loving partnership that led to their unforgettable wedding in Crested Butte in 2017, after which he declared himself (only half-jokingly) to be a trophy husband of the highest order. Charlie and Jessica loved each other with reckless abandon, dancing at every opportunity. They were a team, each one believing that they got the better end of the deal. Both avid anglers, they traveled around the globe with rod and reel in hand. Their love of the outdoors strengthened their love of each other, and the world is richer for it.
Charlie was happiest under the sky, listening to live music, surrounded by friends, and dancing with Jess in the sunshine or starlight after a day of outdoor adventure. His live-wire personality and rakish grin empowered him to wear outlandish outfits without irony. Described by one friend as “sequins in a crowd of cotton,” his wardrobe was a particular point of pride — though he was quite happy to proceed without clothes when the situation demanded it. At no point did Charlie ever lose sleep worrying about someone else’s opinion of him; his tie-dyed rock & roll swagger was legendary. Charlie hosted the party that was his own life. Everyone was invited.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Jessica Parr, MD in Denver, his sister Katy Parr in Carbondale, his parents Doug Parr and Patricia Gallagher in Oklahoma City, his Maine Coon cat Grayling, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends who will miss him today, and all days.
Within his 36 years, he lived more than most of us do in a lifetime, with great happiness, charisma, and gusto. The sudden departure of that cliff hucking, trout tracking, mountain trekking, dancing machine lays bare the importance of living one’s truth while loving deeply.
A memorial service is planned for October 9, 2021 in Denver’s Mayfair Park at two o’clock.
“So long, and thanks for all the fish”
– The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Services
Saturday, October 9
2 PM
Mayfair Park
E 10th Ave & Jersey St Denver, CO 80220
Donations
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax-deductible donation for an outdoor education scholarship in Charlie’s memory:
