My name is Donna LaBrie. My dad is Richard Parra. For as long as I can
remember, my dad has been involved with pigeons: breeding, showing,
trading working with others and telling the history of the NBRC. He
took much pride with his birds. So much so that my siblings and I were
taught to water them, clean the cages, band and document them. I was
even given some birds of my own and he built me a small coup. I trained
my birds with the feed shake in the coffee can. The pigeons connect the
sound to eating, so when I let them out to fly, and some were rollers, I
would shake the can, throw the feed in the cage and they would come
back through the trap door. I spent many a Saturdays, when I should
have been in ballet, at the feed store, pigeon shows and other breeders
back yards. (if he wasn’t with us or his birds, he was playing
basketball) Later, my son Russell also tagged along with his
grandfather.
I am sharing his story writing this because my dad, Richard, has been
repeating this story to me over and over for the last couple of months
and so I interviewed him so I could share.
DL: Hi Mr. Parra, can you please state your name, where you live and
your age before we start?
RP: My name is Richard Parra, I live in southern California and I am 81
years old.
DL: When and where were you born?
RP: February 1942 in Los Angeles, CA. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister.
DL: How old were you when you first got into pigeons?
RP: I discovered pigeons at age of 4. In 1946, Leroy Smith gave me
some birds. In 1950, Bob Evans gave me a few birds. In 1952, Lester
Lehmyer gave me birds. In 1955, I got a hen from Bill Penson. The hen
from Bill Penson became the legendary #5009. I gave the brother of
#5009 to Cecil Turner. The brother to #5009 was #5010. 5010 was
mated to #90 from Lester Lehmyer, crossed with their birds and set a
record for over 100 birds rolling over 100 feet in 20 minutes. It was
something to see.
I never had to buy any birds. I did cut Lehmyer’s grass in trade. Back
in the day, everyone was so nice to me and shared the birds…I guess to
keep the interest alive. They helped me: Lehmyer, Penson and Smith,
and never charged me. Gave me birds. I bred some great birds. When I
got older, I gave birds to others. I helped a lot of people.
I remember joining the NBRC. Dick Stevens was the secretary. For
some reason he took my name off the members list. But that’s ok. I
never stopped trying to join and I did. I was determined to join.
Back then in Compton I couldn’t have the birds at my home. I kept some
there, some at my mom’s and I ended up giving a lot of my birds away to
people I knew would take care of them, so they wouldn’t get stolen.
Like my longtime friend, Arnold and Sam Gutierrez.
There weren’t a lot of Mexican American members of the NBRC back in
the day. I’d like to think that I helped others get involved and share an
interest in pigeons. I hope the interest stays around for a long time.
But boy I know I didn’t make the money some of the birds are bringing
in today. Would have been great for retirement.
DL: Why are you telling your story?
RP: I’ve been involved with the birds for a long time. I knew a lot a of
people. Bob Evans, Jerry Higgins, Norm Reed. My pigeon buddies are
getting old too and some have already passed away, like Homer
Coderre. I talked to a lot of people. I helped a lot of people. But nobody
knows my story anymore. I got older and retired. I moved out of
Compton in 2010 so I had to give my birds away. I was diagnosed with
Parkinson’s in 2014 and have been battling this disease which has kept
me away. I miss the comradery and the Saturday morning coffee at the
feed store. I miss showing birds and breeding birds. I am 81 years old
now. I guess I don’t have much time left with this disease. But I have
had a good life. My wife Jean would say we are truly blessed. Jean and
I have been together for 53 years. People didn’t think an interracial
marriage would work. But we made it. We have 5 children, 13
grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 4 great- great
grandchildren. My children are all successful. For that I am grateful
and very proud. I was at Delta Airline 45 years. When I wasn’t with the
family, I was working, with the birds or shooting hoops. I just want
people to know I had a part in the history of pigeons.
Sadly, before I could get this posted, my dad, Richard Parra, passed
away on May 14, 2023. May he rest in peace. If you have photos or
stories about my dad, please post them or send them to me
[email protected].
