PARSONS, Jack James

Parker Pioneer, Parker, AZ - Jack J. Parsons Oct. 30, 1926 ��“ Dec. 19, 2011 Jack James Parsons was born the first child of two children to Ira James Parsons and Amanda Clara (Farrend) Parsons on Oct. 30, 1926 at Decatur, Neb. He departed this life Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 at the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Society Home in Alma, Neb. His age was 85 years, one month and 19 days. Jack attended schools at Lyons, Neb., where he graduated from high school with the class of 1944. On Dec. 28, 1944, Jack entered the United States Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He served with the 78th Quarter Master Depot and received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Independence Ribbon. He was released from active duty and honorably discharged on Nov. 18, 1946 at the Separation Center in Camp Beale, Calif. In November of 1944, Jack was united in marriage to Genevieve Beth Rogers at South Sioux City, Neb. To this union one son James was born. Unfortunately his marriage ended in divorce. After his discharge from the military, Jack was employed at Nesbitz Orange Bottling Company in Hastings, Neb. and later at the Grand Island Ordinance Plant. On June 3, 1951, Jack was united in marriage to Roberta Arlene Buzzard at the First Christian Church in Grand Island, Neb. To this union two sons Monte and Russ were born. In 1954, the family moved to Torrance, Calif., where Jack was employed at Honeywell Manufacturing as an airplane parts manufacturing foreman. He retired and moved to Alma, in December 1994, moving to Parker, Arizona in November 1999. In January of 2007 they returned to Alma and do to failing health Jack entered the Colonial Villa in November 2010. Jack was a former member of the Fraternal Order of the Elks Lodge in California, Arizona and Nebraska. He was a member of the Faye Cady American Legion Post #118 of Alma. His mother and father preceded him in death. Jack leaves to mourn his passing his loving and devoted wife “Bobbi” of the Colonial Villa; his step-mother; three sons, James Elliott and his wife Karen of Craig, Nebraska, Monte Parsons and his wife Mary of Lakeside, California; and Russ Parsons of Torrance, California; one half sister, Donna Rae Miller and her husband Hymie of Decatur, Neb.; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; his adoptive Nebraska family Tom and Jacquie Moulton and their children Tim and wife Laura and their daughters of Lincoln, Neb., Steven and his daughters of Alma and Jami and her husband Paul Ogier and their daughter and sons of North Platte, Neb.; other relatives, and many friends. Memorial funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Alma at a later date and inurnment of the cremains will be at the Grand Island City Cemetery at Grand Island, Nebraska. Banta-Torrey Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of arrangements.