Obituary: Clayton Parman - Class of 1949

MADISON - Our family lost a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend on Dec. 14, 2010. Clayton Parman Jr. [age 79] passed away at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by his family. Clayton was born on April 20, 1931, the son of Clayton and Janice (Jordan) Parman Sr. He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1949, where he met his wife. He faithfully served our country in the Korean War, and returned to Madison. In 1953 he began working full-time for his father at the family business on Monroe Street in Madison, Parman's Service Station. His commitment and loyalty to the family business continued for more than 55 years. He will be remembered for his ever-constant sense of humor which kept his friends and family in laughter. One of his greatest gifts was in creating smiles. "Junior" also had a special quality in putting others needs above his own. This quality affected friends, family and strangers in life-changing ways. We have truly all been blessed to have had him in our lives. Our prayer is that we may pass on to others all the love, kindness and generosity that he has shown us over the past 79 years. We love you Junior! Left to honor his memory and remember his love are his wife of 55 years, Kathryn; his children, Suzanne, Tina, Laura, Ken (Theresa) and Gary (Carrie); his grandchildren, Kathryn, Rachel and Bailey; and his treasured brother, Keith (Devey); along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant grandchild, Clayton William Parman. Thanks to the staff at St. Mary's Hospital, and Christa Raymond from the heart failure clinic for making Clayton's recent stays more comfortable. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Court, Madison on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Thomas F. Baxter officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., and at church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass. His family suggests that memorials in his honor include the American Heart Association. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 16, 2010