Bruce Parsons Sr.

Bruce Leonard Parsons Sr., 94, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 28, 2003, at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, Ala., while visiting a son and his family.

He was born Sept. 8, 1908, in Kirkwood, Mo., son of Charles Reynolds and Anna Dodge Parsons. He and Marie Elizabeth "Betty" Hamel were married May 11, 1934. She preceded him in death April 18, 1999.

Bruce was formerly of Saline, Mich., and retired to Jekyll Island, Ga., before moving to Cape Girardeau in 1995.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Olive Parsons Jr. of Montgomery, Robert and Adelaide Parsons of Cape Girardeau, and John and Ruth Parsons of Brooksville, Fla.

He was "Grandpa" to Bruce and Florence Parsons of Birmingham, Ala., Dr. Mark and Beth Osgood of Enterprise, Ala., Kathryn and Steve Sumrall of Montgomery, Eric and Bonnie Parsons of Mountain Home, Ark., John and Jill Parsons of Mason, Ohio, David and Cheryl Parsons of Plainfield, Ill., Nancy Parsons of Chicago; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was "Grandpa Bruce" to Jason Ellinghouse, Lauren Parrent and Mackenzie McDaniel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a sister.

Bruce was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, as well as Saline United Methodist Church where he was the oldest person with continuous membership.

He was a 33rd Degree Mason, past grand master and member of Saline Lodge 103. He was also a life member of Royal Arch Masons, York Chapter, of Milan, Mich., and Ann Arbor, Mich., and a Knights Templar in Ann Arbor. He served on the advisory board of the Apple Project in Cape Girardeau, and was an active participant in the Amazing Grays at Grace United Methodist Church.

During World War II he worked for the U.S. Army Ordnance as a tank inspector. While in Saline he managed and operated Soybrands Division of Valley Chemical Co. in a former Henry Ford Mill. He later worked in the engineering and design department of Ford Motor Co., retiring in 1970 after 17 years. While in Saline he and his wife converted a Henry Ford schoolhouse into a house.

Visitation is 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at Grace United Methodist Church. The Rev. Anselm Williams will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Mark Osgood. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Saline.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Grace United Methodist Church Older Adults Ministries/Van Fund, or the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.