44 years, just 1 chair for Dexter barber

DEXTER, Mo. -- Stop in for a haircut at Charlie Parrish's barbershop in Dexter and you'll sit in the same barber's chair he installed during the Nixon administration.

Parrish has been cutting hair in Dexter for 44 years. Aside from the chair's upholstery and the price of a haircut, not much has changed. Parish chats up regulars who wait their turn in a row of black seats, discussing his most recent rabbit hunt, sports or the day's news. Fresh coffee always is ready, a sign above the pot reading, "Old fishermen never die ... they just smell that way!"

Parrish said he has no plans to retire, and he's always "on call."

"That means if I get a call from anybody to go fishing or hunting, I go," he said.

Otherwise, Parrish works 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. four days a week, just like he has for four decades. He has leased the shop for all 42 years without much thought of buying it.

"I believe I've paid for it twice," Parrish said laughing.

A haircut that cost $1.25 when he opened the shop is $10 today. He no longer offers shaves; a concession to his arthritis.

Some regulars, like Bruce McClintock, have passed the tradition to his son and his grandson.

As for that old chair, don't expect Parrish to replace it.

"Never saw a reason to get a new one," he said.