George Parkin

George Preston Parkin, 85, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2016. His beloved wife of 43 years, Arlene Davis Parkin, predeceased him in 1998. As a devout Christian, it was George’s fervent hope that they will be reunited in Heaven.

Born on February 13, 1931, in Swansboro, North Carolina, where he was known as “Tiny,” he was the youngest of four children of James Eldridge Parkin and Olivia Isabelle Rouse and was predeceased by his siblings James E. Parkin, Jr., Clarence M. Parkin and Virginia Valdetero Maddox. George was a devoted father to his son, Gregory D. Parkin and daughter, Valerie Parkin Jeter, and a loving Papa to his granddaughter, Jennifer A. Jeter.

George spent twelve years in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. An early posting to Clovis, New Mexico led the 22 year old airman to a blind date with 18 year old Arlene; they would be married within a year. While in the Air Force, he was later stationed in Aviano, Italy, on several East Coast bases, and in Tripoli, Libya. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Midwestern University in Texas. After an honorable discharge in 1965, he settled in Swansboro for several years. He went on to hold a variety of accounting positions with federal and state agencies in North Carolina, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Continuing his education, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from New Hampshire College, and became a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor.

Throughout his lifetime, George was passionate about his family, his faith, and his country (although not always its politicians). Plagued by Crohn’s disease for most of his adult life, he set an example of perseverance in the face of suffering and was a selfless caregiver to his wife during her final battle with cancer. In retirement, after the passing of his beloved Arlene in their home in New Hampshire, he moved back south to the Richmond area to be close to his granddaughter and daughter. Here, he re-discovered a love of dance that had its roots reaching back to working at the USO as a teenager during World War II. He was an avid swing, salsa and ballroom dancer, often found at Rigby’s Jig or The Dance Space throughout his 70’s and into his 80’s. He was known to say that, while he did not like to brag, he would put his dancing up against anyone’s. And rightly so.

George’s fancy footwork, dry wit and erudite turn of phrase will be greatly missed by those who loved and admired him. He remained a true Southern gentleman to the end.

Special thanks to the extraordinary caregivers at Sunrise of Richmond in Henrico, who provided George with exceptional care during the last year of his life and were so instrumental in allowing him to pass on with peace and dignity. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Atlee Chapel of Woody Funeral Home at 9271 Shady Grove Road in Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (386 Park Avenue South 17th Floor; New York, NY 10016-8804) or Richmond SPCA (2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, VA 23220).