Leonard Spencer Chatterton Parkinson

L. Spencer Parkinson, 87, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2014. He was the youngest of six children of Leonard George and Emma Parkinson. He grew up in Franklin, Idaho, and enjoyed basketball and trumpet in high school. After attending the University of Idaho in the V12 Navy officer program, he served in the Navy for two years during WWII. He then received his M.D. degree from the University of Oregon. Spencer married Joyce Keller from Preston, Idaho, in 1949 in the Logan LDS temple. Spencer interned in Salt Lake City at St. Mark's Hospital. He entered the Navy again and shipped off with Joyce to San Diego and then Guam.
Spencer left the Navy and moved to Ashton, Idaho, for general practice. After practicing there and then Salt Lake City, he re-entered the Navy for a three year residency in obstetrics and gynecology. The family moved to Carlsbad, Calif., for an assignment at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then spent a year living at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Eventually Spencer left active duty and relocated to accept a position at the Budge Clinic in Logan, Utah, where he and Joyce have lived since 1965. Dr. Spencer Parkinson was well respected and loved by his co-workers and his patients for his knowledge, skills, caring bed-side manner and sense of humor. He loved his work and it showed. His amusing ties and brightly colored socks often brought a smile to the faces of all he met.
Spencer served as captain in the Medical Corps of the Naval Reserve and held several positions in medical societies. In addition he served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was a central part of his family's life. Shortly after retiring he and Joyce were able to serve missions for the church in Manaus, Brazil (Amazon area), and then in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Later they served as temple workers in the Logan Temple.
Spencer was loved by all who knew him and he was always a great example to his children and grandchildren, extended family, neighbors and friends. He frequently made others laugh by using the same nicknames for everyone: Sally for the girls and Fred for the boys. Often the weather was "colder than a horse's nose." He also could play an energetic version of "Anchors Away" on the piano to liven things up.
Spencer is preceded in death by his infant son James. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and six children, Spencer K. Parkinson (Gayle), Stephen Parkinson (Susan), Susan Crockett (Carl), Robert Parkinson (Tracine), Nancy Muncy (Brandon), Patricia Glenn (Kelly).
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, in the Lundstrom Park 3rd Ward Chapel, 1260 N. 1600 East, Logan. A visitation will be held at the Lundstrom Park Ward from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.allenmortuaries.net.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice are encouraged.
The family wishes to thank all those who have expressed their love and support at this time.