Arthur W. Parsons Jr.

Arthur, graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 1943, where he played football. He was selected to play on the team at its inception in 1941, and was known as Sandspur Parsons, as the field they played in was covered with them and he was always on the ground tackling his opponents.

After graduation, he entered the Navy and served until 1946. Upon his return from service, he began what would be his lifelong career, that of a chef. He first worked at Eddie's Diner and Crest Diner in Dade City, Fl. He moved to Orlando in 1963, where he would live until his passing. While in Orlando he worked for Chastain's Restaurant, Johnny's Pizza, and Dancing Waters before moving on to become a manager for Holiday House Buffet.

His dream was to always own a Restaurant of his own, and in 1980 he would realize that dream by opening Parsons Table Buffet in Kissimmee, Fl. While in Kissimmee, he would meet and have the opportunity to cater for the Houston's Astros, during their spring training in Kissimmee. During this time he would make lifelong friends with many of the ball players including Nolan Ryan. Nolan would tell anyone who listened that the best food in baseball was at Parsons Table. In 1986, Parsons Table would close it doors due to road construction and would not open again.

Arthur would then have a much needed break from the hours of working and begin to enjoy his retirement. As the years past, he would be dealt many health issues, but he always had a positive outlook on life and would overcome all the obstacles placed before him. This held true until his wife of 46 years would be diagnosed with breast cancer. After the diagnosis, he became more determined than ever to do whatever was needed to make her life easier. He would take her to doctor visits, sit by her side during chemo and radiation treatments, and be at her bedside when in the hospital. When she lost her battle in 2010, he lost his will to live. With the nurturing of his children and grandchildren, he began to realize that there was more for him to do here, and his mood would pick up. Unfortunately, his body was aging rapidily and on May 12 the Lord (I'm sure with Agnes's insistence) took him to be with Him and relieve him of his pain.

Arthur will be missed by everyone who knew him. His most remembered saying would be, "I have never met a stranger." This would be his motto and what he lived by, as he would reach out and talk to anyone as if they had know each other for years.