Jerry D. Parsons

   Jerry Dale Parsons, age 63, of Kirksville, Missouri, died Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri.

   He was born December 5, 1944, at Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Norman Elmore and Mildred (Shahan) Parsons, and he remained a lifetime resident of the La Plata and Kirksville area.

   On April 4, 1965, he married Patricia June (McGregor) Parsons, who survives him.  To this union two children were born: Diane Albrecht, who lives in rural Green Castle, Missouri with her husband Terry and their children Cameron and Jillian; and Debbie Arellano, who resides in Breckenridge, Texas with her husband Jesse and their children Whitney, Brandon and Dustin.  He is also survived by his loving companion of eighteen years, Reta Florea, of the home, and her daughter Norma Sizemore, who lives in Columbia, Missouri with her husband Darrell and their children, Lexi and soon to be born Darrell Wayne Sizemore III, whom Jerry so badly wanted to meet. 

   In addition, Jerry is survived by two brothers, Terry Parsons and wife Carol of Independence, Missouri and Dean Parsons and his wife Mendi of Buckner, Missouri, one sister, Sherri Paxon and her spouse Vickie of Mandan, North Dakota, along with many nieces and nephews.

   Jerry was a 1962 graduate of La Plata High School.  He was self employed as a plumber for many years, and he had also worked at Standard Register in Kirksville as a pressman for 28 years until the plant closed.

   Jerry loved spending time with his “Girls” – Snowball and La Rosa – his precious dogs, watching Nascar and reading.  Before his health failed he enjoyed hunting, shooting, working in his shop and going to auctions.

   Graveside services were held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2008, at the LaBelle Cemetery.  The Reverend Virgil Jones officiated the services. Casket bearers were Terry Albrecht, Darrell Sizemore, Art Heinold, Doug Florea, Terry Parsons, and Virgil Jones, with Delmar Florea serving as Honorary Pallbearer. Services were under the direction of the Coder Funeral Chapel in LaBelle, Missouri.