Charles Richard Parkinson

Charles Richard Parkinson died during the early evening hours of Sunday, June 28, 2009 at his home in Lakeside, Arizona surrounded by many members of his family. He was 86 years old. Charles was born on December 24, 1922 in Cottonwood, Arizona to the late Herbert Edward and Ida Ann Eldora (Davis) Parkinson. He was a veteran of WWII, serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corp at Midway Island. While enlisted in the service, Charles became a skilled heavy equipment operator. Following his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he married his sweetheart, Celia Madge Mettie on July 18, 1948 in Globe, Arizona. In 3 weeks, they would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary together. As a young man, Charles worked as a logger in the logging industry. Later he worked as a heavy equipment operator for Jim McCarty. From 1973 until his retirement in 1992, he owned and operated the Charles Parkinson Construction Company in Lakeside. Charles was one of the founding volunteers for the Lakeside Fire Department and volunteered there for more than 20 years until his retirement. Charles loved being in the great out-of-doors were he spent countless days and nights camping, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed gardening around his home. However, one of his greatest joys in life came from watching his grankids play football for Blue Ridge High School. Go Yellow Jackets!!! This gentle giant of a man will be missed by all whom ever had the privilege to know him. Charles Richard Parkinson is survived by: his wife, Celia M. Parkinson of Lakeside; 6 children: Joe Lambert (Karlene) of Las Vegas, NV, Louis Bert Parkinson (Judy) of Queen Creek, AZ, Deborah Anne Parkinson of Lakeside, AZ, Richard Charles Parkinson of Lakeside, AZ, Frank Albert Parkinson (Myra) of Lakeside, AZ, Cheryl Fern Harville (Barry) of Lakeside, AZ; 2 brothers: Edward Herbert Parkinson of Yuma, AZ, Paul Bernard Parkinson (Darlene) of Alhambra, CA; sister, Catherine Strickland of Temecula, CA; 19 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 6 of his siblings: Russell Parkinson, Frank Parkinson, William "Bill" Parkinson, Stanley Parkinson, Harry "Bud" Simpson, Helen Ida "Dolly" Simpson and 1 great-grandson, Wyatt Seeley. The funeral service is for 10:00 A.M., Friday, July 3, 2009 at the Pinetop - Lakeside Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lakeside, Arizona with the viewing beginning 1 hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Lakeside Cemetery where military honors will be rendered.