Obit of Parsons, John R. - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

Submitted by:  Gene Phillips <okarchives@comcast.net>  31 Jul 2005
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Parsons, John R.

John R. Parsons passed away January 2, 2003 at the age of 80. He was born 
in Kansas City, MO on March 28, 1922. He completed his education in the 
Public schools there, and attended both Kansas City Junior College and 
Washington University in St. Louis. He was a veteran of WWII, having 
served as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division in Italy, France, Germany 
and Belgium. He earned the European, African and Middle Eastern Campaign 
Ribbons with three Bronze Stars, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, 
Victory Medal, a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, a 
Presidential Citation, the Belgian Croix De Guerre and the Dutch William 
of Orange Medal. Parsons joined Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 
1946, and rose through the ranks of the company in Missouri, Kansas and 
Texas. In 1966 he transferred to Oklahoma City where he led the Oklahoma 
Division for over 20 years, retiring as President in 1987. He maintained a 
deep involvement in numerous civic and social organizations in Oklahoma 
City. He has served as campaign chairman of the United Way of Greater 
Oklahoma City; was chairman of the board for the State Fair of Oklahoma in 
1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980; and was president of the Oklahoma City Chamber 
of Commerce in 1970 and 1971. He has served on a long list of other city 
and state boards and organizations including the Allied Arts Foundation, 
Appeals Review Board, Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma 
Christian University, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma Industries 
Authority, Liberty Bank, and YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. He also served 
on the boards of both Baptist and Mercy Hospitals in Oklahoma City. He was 
chosen as King of the Beaux Arts Ball in 1985. John was an avid outdoors 
man; he loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed happy hours teaching the 
younger members of this family to fish. He was preceded in death by his 
parents, John and Lola Parsons, and sister, Mary Gardner. He is survived 
by his wife, Marylin Jones Parsons; three children: Pamela Parsons Fisher 
of Owasso, OK, Carroll Parsons Frankenberger and her husband, Bud of 
McAllen, TX, John W. Parsons and his wife, Denise of Oklahoma City; six 
grandchildren: Adrienne and Chris Fisher, Rob Frankenberger and Tessa 
Frankenberger Hornaday, Preston and Drake Parsons; four great-
grandchildren: Landon, McKaeli Ann, Jaden and Emmry Hornaday; three 
stepsons: Fred Jones Hall and his wife, Karen, and children Jones, Maguire 
and Allison; Brooks Hall, Jr. and his wife, Carole, and children B.J. and 
Robert; and Kirkland Hall and his wife, Julie, and children Bryan and 
Kendall. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 6, 2003 at 11 a.m. 
at All Souls Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions 
may be to the Charity of your choice.

Published in the Oklahoman from 1/4/2003 - 1/5/2003.
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