More than 45 members of Sigma Chi fraternity packed into St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edenton, N.C. on Saturday for the funeral of their fellow brother.

Parrish’s accident shocked the members of Sigma Chi, the fraternity to which Parrish belonged since the second semester of his freshman year.

Scott Sexton, a junior in construction engineering, said he was in disbelief when he heard about Parrish’s death.

“It just didn’t seem real at all until we got to Edenton,” Sexton said. “Seeing his family and going to the funeral was tough.”

Matt Choplin, president of Sigma Chi, said he was impressed with the support the fraternity was able to give the family at the funeral.

“About 90 to 95 percent of our members attended the funeral,” Choplin said. “It was really nice having everyone there to support George and his family.”

He said the large attendance at the funeral showed a lot about what Sigma Chi stands for and what Parrish meant to the fraternity.

Parrish was energetic, honest, and full of personality, according to members of the fraternity.

“George was always smiling and having a good time,” Choplin said. “He had a way to always put a smile on peoples’ faces – even on their worst days.”

Parrish spent his free time hanging out and goofing off with friends and fellow fraternity brothers, according to Troy Brooks, a junior in construction engineering.

“I’m going to miss just being able to have him to hang out with,” Brooks said. “I’m going to miss calling him up just to get him to come over and watch T.V.”

The one characteristic that stood out most to his fraternity brothers was his love of a good time.

“Having fun was his number one priority,” Brooks said. “He just enjoyed life.”

Choplin agreed, saying Parrish loved life and loved entertaining his friends.

“George was always full of stories,” he said. “There was never a moment that hedidn’t have a story to tell.”

Choplin said Sigma Chi plans to dedicate a stairwell in the fraternity house to Parrish’s memory. The dedication will include a picture and a plaque to be hung over the stairs.

The fraternity brothers were unanimous about what Parrish would think about friends and family grieving.

“He’d definitely want us to reminisce about all the fun we’ve had together instead of mourn,” Sexton said. “He wouldn’t want that at all.”