Marvel Eugene Parsons

Gene Parsons

Gene Parsons, 98, passed away at the Scotland County Memorial Hospital in Memphis, MO, on Saturday, September 19, 2015.

Marvel Eugene Parsons was born in southwest Putnam County, MO, on July 15, 1917, the son of Rollie and Goldie (Hill) Parsons, who preceded him in death. Gene was reared in Putnam County where he attended the Hill rural school. He graduated from Newtown-Harris High School. He also attended Kirksville State Teachers College (Truman University) for two years. Gene worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a young man, helping to build Swan Lake.

Gene married Dora Frances Peek on June 29, 1940 and she preceded him in death of September 26, 1996. They farmed briefly before moving to East Moline, IL, where Gene worked with John Deere. They then moved to California and Gene managed a poultry farm in Anaheim before beginning a career with McDonald-Douglas Aircraft in 1965. He retired from there in 1985 and he and Dora spent the next several years traveling and seeing the country. They moved to Unionville in the early 1990’s. Gene moved to Memphis, MO, in 2005 to be near family.

Gene and Dora were avid square dancers while in California and Gene was also a coin collector. He had a good sense of humor and was well-know for his giggle. He liked to play baseball in his younger years and was an agile and athletic person for most of his life.

Gene is survived by a son, Larry (Pat) Parsons of Quartzsite, AZ, and a daughter, Shirley (Bart) Durham of Unionville, MO. His grandchildren are Diane, Robert, Ronda, Trina, Marla, and Patrick. Ten great grandchildren also survive as well as three sisters, Anna (Paul) Ross of Cincinnati, IA, Melva (Don) Henderson of Lake Ozark, MO, and Charlene (Jim) Neasham of Newtown, IA.

Gene was also preceded in death by a brother, Virgil Parsons.

Funeral services for Marvel Eugene Parsons will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 24, 2015, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Parsons Cemetery in southwest Putnam County.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.