Jerry Parsons

1940 - 2014

We are entirely uninterested in a life without our father, Jerry Parsons. We will continue on because he would demand it from us, but death is not the choice of children, grandchildren, brothers, or anyone left behind. As a disclaimer, please note that in no way does this obituary prove his mortality since he will live forever in the stories and legacies he created.

Jerry Charles Parsons, "JP," auspicious debut occurred on August 12, 1940 in Coffeyville, Kansas. He graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1958 with three life defining gifts: close friends, a reputation, and the love of his life and future bride, Patricia Kilcoyne. He married mom in 1960, experiencing 47 years of wedded bliss until her passing in 2007.

Dad received degrees in Business and Economics, graduating from Oklahoma in 1963. He went to work for several tire companies and his promotions were the catalyst for several moves throughout the U.S. He was owner of Rubber Duck Tire and Auto from 1981-2000, an active member of Thousand Oaks Rotary and earned the title of "Oak Tree Killer" in an unfortunate misunderstanding with the city.

He was an avid golfer and member of Sunset Hills Country Club, where he was a founding member of "The Bandits." The last several years of his life were spent as a successful business broker in Las Vegas.

Dad entered into the presence of the Lord on November 14, 2014 in Fruita, Colorado after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by those he loved most in the world: daughters Stephanie Parsons and Christi Hein; son, Gavin Hein; and his beloved grandchildren, Jack "Buckaroo" Hein and Taylor "Princess Girl" Hein. Additionally, he is survived his younger brother, John Parsons (Wanda) and nieces, Senta (Al) and Megan.

I'm sorry if you didn't know our dad. It's an arduous task trying to summarize his life in the mere constraints of an obituary. He was larger than life. He was old school, incredibly funny and known for the pranks he would pull. He was charming, had unbelievable stories and even better phrases known as "JPisms". He was kind and generous beyond measure. He was a competitor. He was a leader. Rules were mere suggestions and he taught us that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is permission. He taught us to throw, catch, fight and never back down. He taught us loyalty and we learned life was to be lived until the last breath. The strength that you see in us was a seed that was planted by our father, cultivated by our mother and grown in good soil.

Dads are immortal. They are a daughter's first love, a grandson's hero, and a granddaughter's king in the land where she rules as princess girl. They are irreplaceable.

We will celebrate the life of our father Saturday, December 13, 2014, at 3:00pm at Moorpark Presbyterian Church, 13950 Peach Hill, with Gavin Hein officiating. We would ask that you wear crimson to honor Dad's love of his Oklahoma Sooners. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dad's name to the wonderful organization that assisted us in providing him with exceptional care, Hope West Hospice in Grand Junction, CO.