John Parkinson's Obituary
John Beard Parkinson, son of Ralph H. and Josephine L. Beard Parkinson, was born November 10, 1923, in San Pedro, California. He departed this life Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in St. John’s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-three years, four months, and ten days. On July 11, 1947, he was united in marriage to Daisy Mary Field, and to this union four daughters and one son were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Judy and Susan Parkinson; and a son, Jon Bruce Parkinson. John is survived by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Daisy, of the home; two daughters, Patricia Lane, of Crocker, Missouri, and Sharon Lesser, and her husband, Bob, of Lebanon, Missouri; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in California and graduated from high school there. As a young man he entered the United States Army and served his country faithfully during World War II. After he and Daisy were married, they made their home in Orange County, California, and lovingly raised their family. For almost thirty years, John worked for the United States Postal Service. In 1979, the family moved to Lebanon, Missouri, where John became a “gentleman farmer”. John believed in God and had made his peace with his Maker. He was a past commander of the Disabled American Veterans organization in Lebanon. He enjoyed taking care of his farm and his home, and liked collecting stamps in his spare time. He had a keen interest in the culinary arts and enjoyed cooking and baking. He liked listening to music, especially songs from the Big Band Era. His family was very important to him and he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2007, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to the Lebanon Humane Society may be made through the funeral home.
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