Victor Parachin

Victor was primary parent to their three children while Janet was a chaplain in the U.S. Navy and completing her PhD. As a Navy spouse he moved three young children from Chicago to Virginia Beach, Virginia! He coached roller hockey and ice hockey teams and offered sage advice to his children. His love for his children was deep, lasting and forgiving.

Most people in town recognized him as the “Tulsa runner,” a moniker he received from taking long runs each day. He started running as a young man and went on to complete many marathons throughout the country. He took up roller-blading in California and ice speed skating in Tulsa. Shout out to all of his friends in Tulsa’s ice skating community! His desire to be strong and physically fit drew him to bike riding, weight training, Pilates and yoga. He was certified to teach both mat Pilates and yoga.

Victor’s first career was as a minister. Ordained in the Free Methodist Church in Canada, he moved to the United States to serve his first church in the Chicago area. This is where he met his future wife Janet, a progressive woman who was also called to ministry. They decided to change denominations and were welcomed into the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Victor served Disciples churches in Chicago, Washington DC area, several interim ministries in the Los Angelos area and Tulsa, and many guest talks in the pulpit of All Souls Church. His talks were profound and inspiring as he drew from a variety of sources and experiences.

In the late 1980’s Victor decided to make a career change and become a writer. It took a few months of writing and submitting articles, but when he sold his first article to the Chicago Tribune he never looked back. Over the past 40 years he has written thousands of articles and dozens of books. His first book Grief Relief established him as a grief specialist and, for many years, he wrote a monthly newsletter that was distributed by funeral homes throughout the country. For the past 20 years, he has written extensively about Eastern spirituality.

With much experience as a writer and preacher, he was a natural to take up teaching at our family businesses Yoga Spirit Academy and Tulsa Yoga Meditation Center. Hundreds of students joined him for meditation sessions of chanting OM accompanied by shruti box and alternate nostril breathing. He shared meaningful and practical dharma talks that brought joy and encouragement to all who attended. He offered Buddhist meditation retreats several times a year and was a beloved teacher at Texas Yoga Retreat in Austin for many years.

Victor was a friend to everyone he met. He loved to ask a lot of questions to better understand where someone came from and where they were going in life. Friends were greeted with his booming voice calling out their name and a big, strong hug that expressed how happy he was to see them.

Victor suffered great physical pain at the end of his life and it is a mercy that he is now free. Even in his last days, he was teaching us all how to live while dying. He was truly a great spiritual soul and his absence will be felt by many.

Victor is survived by his life partner and spouse, Janet; daughter Kristin, her spouse Justin, and their children Aaron, Victor and Charles; son Geoffrey; son Michael; brother Alex and sister Lana, many students and friends. A memorial service will be held at All Souls Church in Tulsa in the next couple of months. Please make memorial donations to the HOW Foundation in Tulsa, Seasons Hospice in Tulsa, and All Souls Church in Tulsa.

Victor was a blessing to all those whose lives he touched. Peace and love to Janet and all of his family. - Eileen Norrington

Victor was my only brother. We shared a tiny bedroom together in Timmins Ontario, Canada. By today’s standards, that bedroom was smaller than most walk in closets. He found a spiritual path for his life long before I did, and many nights would kneel by his little bed praying to God and specifically mentioning me by name. I have a specific memory of him that I have always cherished and kept dear to my heart. I was being tormented and attacked by other kids in the community. Timmins was a very rough and tumble town in the 50’s and early 60’s with the majority of families finding employment in either the mining or lumber community. Our “Papa” was a miner. On this particular day, as I was being basically accosted, Victor my brother, dressed in a Davy Crocket jacket (more common than you would think in that era of Walt Disney black and white TV productions) amazingly leaped over a fence to defend and rescue me. I have pondered the gifts that God implanted into his soul at such a young age in Timmins. In life, he never stopped jumping over fences, wherever they manifested, to defend and rescue others. His commitment to sharing his spiritual journey, his prolific writing, his teaching and pastoring has touched, helped and healed many thousands of people. I was privileged to have such a brother both physically as well as spiritually. He will be sorely missed……. My thoughts as well as those of my wife, Donna, and my family are with Janet, family and all of you who were so genuinely touched by his remarkable life. Still motivated by him to jump over metaphorical fences to help others. Unstoppable, unlimited and unending blessings to all of you…. - Alex Parachin

Dear Janet, my heart is with you, your children, and all the family. Victor was a quiet force of nature. I believe his legacy will be felt for a long time to come. All my love. - Paula Joseph-Johnson

I will always remember the love, wisdom and devotion Victor offered so generously to his students - me included. Sending love and light to you and your family, Janet, during this difficult time. - Sonia Marshall

I was so surprised to find the email saying that Victor had passed. It's been 5 years since I left Tulsa, and during that time he would send emails to see how I was getting on. I was just thinking of sending him an email when I found the email saying he had passed. I audibly gasped. His presence on this earth will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with you, Janet. May he rest peacefully knowing he has touched so many. - Charlotte Adcock

Janet, I was so sad to hear the news about Viktor, but so happy he’s free from this body and dancing with Jesus. I will never forget how he lit up to see each of his yoga students enter the room, and how he gave the best hugs! Many times he picked me up completely off the floor to make sure I knew how happy he was to see me! I will never forget him or his impact on my yoga practice and spirituality. Sending you love and praying for peace for you and your family. - Shelby Williams