I’m Gary Parris

Buncombe County native. United States Navy with 22 years of service. Ready to protect and serve.

Gary Keith Parris 

Buncombe County Native 

A military man with mountain roots 

Buncombe County native Gary Parris grew up in the French Broad community in Alexander, NC  with his adopted parents, Dennis and Rhea Parris. 

His father was known throughout churches of Western NC, Tennessee, and Virginia for teaching unique “shaped note” music to mountain congregations. From his father, Gary learned the  important lessons of what it means to put others first, to love the mountains, and to stand up for  what is right. Fishing, hunting, and faith became an integral part of his life at a very young age. 

Gary attended French Broad Elementary and North Buncombe High where he met his wife Sandy  Rice and earned a basketball scholarship to Montreat Anderson Junior College. After graduation  from Montreat Anderson, he worked at Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department for three years  until joining the US Navy in 1983. 

Parris enlisted in the US Navy where he enjoyed a successful and highly decorated military career.  His decorations include: 

  • Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  • Joint Service Commendation Medal
  • Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
  • Joint Service Achievement Medal
  • Meritorious Unit Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  • Sea Service Deployment Medal
  • Kuwait Liberation Medal
  • Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
  • Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist
  • Coast Guard Special Operations Medal
  • Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal 

While on active duty, Gary received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New  York in 1993, his Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence  College (JMIC) in 1999, and his Masters degree of Public Administration (Criminal Justice  Concentration) from Troy University in Alabama in 2004. 

Parris retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer from the US Navy in September of 2005 after having  served 22 years working in Cryptology and Naval Intelligence that included deployments in Desert  Shield/ Desert Storm, and two Persian Gulf Deployments supporting Operation Enduring  Freedom. 

Following his retirement from the Navy in 2005, he was hired by ITT Technical College in Norfolk,  Virginia, to teach Criminal Justice and later served as Department Chair. 

Gary then transitioned to the Department of Defense as a Defense Contractor for 10 years where  he worked in Intelligence Training Logistics/Security at the Joint Intelligence Command. 

In 2017 he accepted a position with the Virginia Department of Corrections as a Corrections  Officer. By the time he retired in 2022 he had risen to the rank of Captain at a level five maximum  security prison; as Watch Commander he was directly responsible for 1500 civilian staff,  corrections officers and inmates. 

Gary and Sandy (his wife of 49 years) have returned to live in Buncombe County where they grew  up. They enjoy spending time with their 3 sons (all of whom serve, or have served, in the military)  and 5 grandchildren. 

Gary Parris is committed to using his extensive training, leadership skills, and broad experience  by serving and protecting the people of Buncombe County as the next Sheriff in 2026. 

For information contact: gary@parrisforsafety.com mobile (828) 278-9525