Junior E. Parson Sr., 67, of Rock Island, died Friday, July 18, 2014 at Select Specialty Hospital, Davenport. Cremation rites were accorded. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in care of the family. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island, is assisting the family.

Junior was born in Cairo, Ill. on September 16, 1946, a son of Emperor W. and Lura Joplin Parson. He married Kay E. Smith on July 4, 1974 in Rock Island. She preceded him in death on March 7, 2004.

Junior last worked for Sparks Fiberglass in Rock Island before retiring in 2002. He was an all around handy man and enjoyed watching Tim Duncan play with the San Antonio Spurs. He dearly loved all of his grandchildren.

Survivors include; his children (and spouses), Lea Arrington, Junior (Jennifer) Parson Jr. and Darin Harmon, all of Rock Island and Joe (Tanya) White and Schewonda (Byron) Jackson, both of Decatur, Ill.; step-children, Laura (Jerry) McNabb and Rodney (Lisa) VanDyke, both of Leavenworth, Kan. and Jerry Kimble, Decatur and MaLinda Dyer, Atlanta, Ga.; A host of grand and great-grandchildren; sisters, Janie (Nat) Gunter, Rock Island, Claria (James) Love, Sandusky , Ill. and Mary Johnson, Olmsted, Ill.; and brother, Kevin Parson, Rock Island.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and five brothers and sisters.