Obituary: Darrell Parkinson

MADISON - Darrell M. "Obie" Parkinson, age 66, of Madison died on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. He was born on Dec. 7, 1937, in Madison, the son of Daniel and Stella (Keleny) Parkinson. Obie attended St. James Catholic School and graduated from Central High School. He served in the United States Army from 1955-1957 in Germany. He was employed by the state of Wisconsin Department of Transportation as a surveyor/ engineer for 35 years. Obie was a loving father, brother, grandfather and friend. He was always someone to turn to in time of need. Obie enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was always most happy when he had his arms wrapped around his grandchildren. He was a provider and a protector all the way until the time of his death. We will miss him dearly and hope he will continue to watch over and protect us. "We will miss you, Dad." He is survived by his son, Michael (Janis) Parkinson; daughter, Lynn (Tim) Maglio; four grandchildren, Samantha, Ashley, Corey and Nicole; two brothers, Robert and Gerald Parkinson; sister, Ethel Beauchamp; former wife and good friend, Sharon Parkinson; and loving friend and longtime companion, Cathy Lenahan. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Curtis Parkinson, in 1992; and a brother, David Parkinson, in 1966. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, 2004, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 405 S. Owen Drive, with Father Todd Van Natta officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road, and also from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. God saw he was getting tired and a cure was not to be; so He put his arms around him, and whispered "come with me." With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him fade away; although we loved him dearly we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating; hardworking hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. God gave us strength to bear it, and courage to face the blow; but, what it meant to lose him, no one will ever know. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 5, 2004