Robert Otis Parsons

Robert Otis Parsons passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013, at the age of 86. He was the fifth child of Alvin Parsons of Canada and Ada McNitt of Nebraska. Robert was born in a little farm house on a forty acre ranch located on 13 1/4 Avenue in Hanford. This property was purchased by his grandfather, Samuel John Parsons, in 1902. The property was passed on to Alvin, Robert’s father, and then to Robert. Robert has lived there most of his life and the property is now being passed on to a granddaughter. The only sad part at the end of Robert’s life has been his and the family’s fight with the California High Speed Rail Authority, which is in process of confiscating the land and destroying the farm.

Robert grew up on the ranch, except for a few years when the family lived briefly in Los Angeles. Alvin Parsons mostly stayed on the ranch and farmed the land. Robert had two sisters and three brothers: Phyllis, Keith, Raymond, Leland, and Carol. The boys, especially Robert, had good mechanical abilities. The children learned about hard work and being responsible, respectful citizens.

While the family was In L.A. the three younger boys got jobs at an auto shop near them. Robert was only 12 years of age when he rebuilt his first car engine. A great tragedy came to the family while in Los Angeles. An intoxicated driver drove up on the sidewalk and killed two of Robert’s older brothers, Raymond at 14 years old and Leland at 13 years old while they were walking home from school. After this terrible event the family returned to the family farm in Hanford.

Robert married Lorraine Margaret Kelly in 1953. They chose to stay on the farm and Robert designed and built their home on the property. They had four boys; Glen, Neil, Brent, and Eric. Over the years Robert enjoyed farming the ranch, flying his Cessna 152 airplane, repairing anything and everything, reading, helping his sons and their families, and encouraging and helping his grandchildren in their interests.

For many years Robert worked as a tractor and farm implement mechanic. He worked for the local Massey Ferguson and White tractor dealerships and regularly also repaired neighbors’ tractors.

Robert decided to go back to college in his 40’s and earned a bachelor and then a master degree in Industrial Arts from Fresno State University. He finished his career working for Cal Trans. For a number of years Robert served on the Kings River-Hardwick school board. He was generous with his time and talents and served his family, community, and anyone he saw in need. He would always stop to help anyone with a broken down car on the side of the road.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Parsons, who lovingly cared for him in recent years with his struggle with Parkinson’s disease, and four sons; Glen Parsons and his wife Su-Jren (Sandy) Yen of Hanford, Neil Parsons and his wife Tammy Strawn of Pleasant Grove, Brent Parsons and his wife Janine Sorensen of Hanford, and Eric Parsons of Hanford, and two sisters; Donna Phyllis Van Beek of Hanford and Carol Adams of Fresno. He had 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 2400 N. 11th Avenue, Hanford, CA 93230 on Monday, May 3, 2013, at 11:00 a.m.