Donald Brooks Parsons
August 4, 1908 - September 27, 1975
Story by Raymond E.
Parsons, August 21, 1997
Donald Brooks Parsons was born August 4, 1908 at 982
Pennsylvania Ave, Denver, Colorado, son of Robert and Maud
Lillian (Frost) Parsons.
He married first Hanora A. Thompson in
April 1930. They were divorced, no children. He married Pauline
(Simons) Bailey on 20 Sep 1954 in Denver, Colorado. Pauline had
children from her previous marriage but Donald and "Polly" had no
children. Donald died in Denver on 27 Sep 1975 and was buried in
Crown Hill cemetery in Denver.
My first memories of Uncle Donald are when he would drive
Grandma
Parsons to our house to visit. Christmas or Thanksgiving were
common visits, with special dinner. Donald would usually have
some nice toy for Bob and me. I remember we received a nice
electric train set (used but still in good working condition)
from Donald one Christmas about 1940.
Photo of Donald, 1929
Uncle Donald was drafted into the army during World War
II. I
remember he served in Alaska on the outer islands. The Japanese
had occupied the outermost Alaskan Islands for a time but were
pushed back and his outfit stood guard to make sure they didn't
return. I remember we used to send care packages to him with food
items. One time he sent back some Japanese blankets which they
had found abandoned in Alaska (the tag had Japanese writing on
it). He also told of an encounter with a Grizzly when he was out
on a hike. He said the bear made a swipe at him and knocked his
rifle out of his hand, then left (thankfully).
After the War was over, I remember he liked to play chess
with
Bob and me. He said he learned to play in Alaska when he was in
the army. He was a small roofing contractor in Denver and he
came to Ft. Collins one year to re-roof the folks' house. He and
Polly bought rental properties in Denver and repaired and managed
them, often trading for better rentals. 1948 Photo of Phil, Hazel, Maud, Don, Marion, and Robert.
Grandma Parsons lived
with Don and Polly for several years before she passed on.
Don was usually the designated driver to bring Aunt
Marion or
Grandma to Ft. Collins for visits and holiday dinners. Dad
always said he would tell Don to be there by 2 o'clock, hoping he
would arrive by 3!Photo 1964 BACK: Bob, Don, Marion, Mary. Erdeena, Polly, Neta, Hazel, Phil
Front: David, Tom, Patty, Linda, Larry, Mark, Barbara (Squatting)
Here's a photo of Dad and Donald taken about 1917 standing
along side a "new?" car that Dad had probably driven
for a ride that day.
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