Eric Shannon Parr
bio
God moves and works in ways Eric could have never imagined, and brought him through incredible challenges and adventures. Having overcome learning and social disabilities he suffered with since a child, he joined the Navy to fly jets through the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, but unforseen circumstances ended this dream. From a crazy turn of events, he attended Naval bootcamp where he was promoted twice, and attended PR “A“ Technical Training School, breaking academic and physical training records. Eric was then assigned to Antarctic Development Squadron Six, the world‘s pioneering state-of-the-art Antarctic research, development and support military squadron. During his four honorable years, Eric invented and created extreme Antarctic cold weather survival gear such as the Helo Blade Boot for UH-IN helicopters stationed in Antarctica, developed squadron-wide morale events, and received several letters of appreciation, commendation, and the Antarctic Service Medal.
After the military, Eric founded and was CEO of a very successful commercial and residental property development company, and attended college where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a double minor in Sociology and Speech and Theater. He also earned a graduate degree in both Kindergarten through eighth grade, and ninth grade through grade twelve school guidance counseling. Eric counseled children in the public school system for three years then decided to return to school and earn his doctorate.
A year into his doctoral pursuits, End Stage Renal Failure forced an end to Eric’s professional and educational career, and kidney disease had him staying alive hooked up to a kidney machine. Refusing to accept defeat and knowing God was bigger than His circumstances, Eric decided to continue school despite three day a week, six hour treatments. He earned and became Dr. Eric Shannon Parr, Ed.D. in three years through an accelerated year-round doctoral program. He had also begun triathlon training during this time.
For earning a 4.0 throughout his doctoral pursuits, Eric was inducted as a lifetime member into the Intercollegiate National Honors Fraternity, Alpha Chi. Eric also received a kidney transplant a few months before completing his doctoral education. He speaks about his journey of faith and trusting in God to colleges, churches, businesses, and at conferences and special events. Eric wrote about his life’s incredible journey in his memoir “Defying the Lies,” a collection of humorous, sincere, and transparent stories that are insightful and life changing. Get your copy by tapping the button below.