Funeral services for Patrick William “Pat” Parkinson, 82, of Greenville and Pass Christian, MS will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville. He died Saturday, July 27, 2013 in Gulfport, MS. Burial will be in the Greenville Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
Born October 21, 1930 in Little Rock, AR., Parkinson was the son of William Halsey and Mary Sawyer Parkinson. Mr. Parkinson graduated from Greenville High School in 1948. He was an Eagle Scout and a State Champion Trap Shooter. He attended Marion Military Institute, Selma, AL.; Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. and The University of Mississippi. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He served in the Korean Conflict as a First Lieutenant. After the war, he worked for Baird & Company of Greenville for forty plus years, retiring in 1998. During his retirement he and his daughter Cassandra established the Old Cuevas Bistro in Pass Christian, MS. A loving and generous man, Mr. Parkinson was also an avid sportsman, a wonderful chef and renowned raconteur. His family and friends will truly miss his delightful stories and fine cuisine.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of fifty-four years, Amelie Henriette “Bichette” Parkinson.
He is survived by five children: William Halsey Parkinson II and his wife Ashley, Dallas, TX.; Patrick Worthington Parkinson, Greenville, MS.; Mary Deslonde Parkinson and partner Charlotte Briggs, Easthampton, MA.; Catherine Parkinson Peters, Bay St. Louis, MS. And Cassandra Parkinson Timmons, Pass Christian, MS. He is survived by two sisters, Sue P. Gee and her husband Joseph J. Gee, Carrollton, MS and Sandra “Sang” P. Roberson, Ormond Beach, FL. and Taos, NM. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. before the service at the church. The Rev. John Skelly will officiate.
Pallbearers are William Worthington Parkinson, Patrick Worthington Parkinson Jr., Hunter Parkinson Peters, Joseph James Gee IV, Shedric Hill Roberson III and William DeVere Montgomery. Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Gregory Baird, Joseph James Gee III, Reginald Hovas, Burrell Strudwick Gee and Ashton David Therrien.
Honoring Mr. Parkinson’s great love of dogs, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Greenville Humane Society, Hwy 82 W, Greenville, MS 38701 or to the charity of one’s choice.