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James O'Donnell Parson of Huntsville, Arkansas, died October 16, 2014, at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Born May 19, 1936, in Huntsville to Willie Forest Parson and Jessie Jewel Faddis Parson, he was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Merle Winchester. He is survived by his wife, Pattie, of the home; one son, Nicky Forest Parson of West Fork, Arkansas; one daughter, Shelley Marie Parson, of Springdale, Arkansas; one stepson, Kevin Shinn (Angie) of Huntsville, Arkansas; three step grandchildren: Nikki Tarvin, Adam Wade, Kristyn Shinn Clark (Darren) all of Huntsville, Arkansas; and two step great grandchildren: Kendyl Tarvin and Kynadee Clark of Huntsville, Arkansas. He is also survived by five sisters and three brothers-Dixie Davis of Huntsville, Arkansas; Mary Jo Westcott of Lebanon, Oregon; Billy Jean Reedy of Winlock, Washington; Doris Marie Ashworth of Huntsville, Arkansas; Carol (Buck) Evans of Hindsville, Arkansas; Bobby Leon Parson (Boody) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Larry Dean Parson (Donna Kaye) of McAlester, Oklahoma; Tommy Michael Parson of Huntsville, Arkansas, and fourteen (14) nieces and nephews. When Donnell was in early elementary school, his family moved from Wharton Creek to Huntsville where he attended Huntsville State Vocational School, graduating in 1956. While in school, Donnell played both football and basketball. His love for sports remained throughout his life. Donnell's children were his proudest accomplishment. He taught them both to fish and enjoyed taking them. He was especially proud of his daughter's owning Farmers Insurance Agency in Bentonville, and his son's heavy equipment purchases and operation. After retiring from McBride Distributing Company and Robbins Realty, he spent his leisure time working on his farm and with his cattle. Donnell remained very active until August at which time his health failed. Until then, he and Pattie danced to the music of The Ridgerunners in Huntsville on Friday nights and to both The Ridgerunners in Huntsville and Silver Dew at the legion in Kingston on alternating Saturday nights. During his step granddaughter's college years, he and Pattie followed her college soccer and basketball games in Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and all over Texas while also going to Huntsville Eagles games. To his delight, Coach Berry, Deanna, Pattie and he went every year to state playoff basketball games. Sports and dancing were second only to fishing. An avid bass fisherman, Donnell and his brother, Bob, fished two nights a week up until his health issues in August. His other pastimes were lunching at the Madison County Senior Center, playing cards there in the afternoon, and traveling throughout the states and Canada with a large group of friends. Donnell was a member of Hayes Smith American Legion Post #137 in Huntsville and a US Army veteran. Services will be Monday, October 20, at 10:30 am with Pastor Glen Faulkner and Charles Berry conducting the services at Brashears Funeral Home Chapel followed by interment in Huntsville Cemetery under the direction of Brashears Funeral Home www.brashearsfuneralhome.net of Huntsville. Pallbearers will be Bill Keeling, Arthur Steele, Tim Darnell, David Ashworth, Stephen Ashworth, Joe McCoy, Buddy Oxford, and Charles Presley. Honorary pallbearers will be James Auslam, Bruce Parker, Ray Shilling, Charles McChristian, Dan Pettz, Ron Chasteen, Dawn and Cliff Cline, Kenneth Wright, Norman Roach, Junior Wight, Joy Sue and Harold Simkins, Jerry Smith, Lavena and Cliff Farmer, Joan and Bill Bryan, Pattie's support team ( Martha Jo Shilling, Beverly Charleton, Jo Ann Tice, and Bette Parrott), members of The Ridgerunners and Silver Dew bands, patrons and employees of Madison County Senior Health and Wellness Center, Wednesday morning breakfast group, Bob and Neal Sliger, and his many dance friends. The family will receive friends from 3:00 P. M. to 5:00 P. M. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Tributes

James O'Donnell Parson

May 19, 1936 - October 16, 2014