Dennis Parsons

Dennis Shawn Parsons was born November 27, 1957, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of John and Jean (Guyer) Parsons. Affectionately known as 'Possum,' Dennis lived in several areas of Missouri and East Central Kansas until his death August 7, 2004, in Kansas City, Missouri, at age 46. When he was a young boy, Dennis spent much time with his Grandpa and Grandma Guyer who nurtured his passion for animals, especially horses. He spent many weekends going with his grandparents to horse shows in Missouri and showing horses in competition. At age 12, he began working for horse trainers, where he learned the finer points of grooming show horses for competition, and entered in venues across several states including the Missouri State Fair. Through some of his school years, Dennis was a Boy Scout and competed in baseball, football, and track, where he excelled in pole vault. After graduating from Gardner High School in 1976, he traveled with his blue heeler, Sugar, and groomed cattle for competition. He prepared livestock for the American Royal Cattle Show and many other contests. Completing a hitch in the United States Army, Dennis returned to his love of working on ranches and at feed lots, raising horses and farming. He was employed by the John Rubick Farm, Ronnie Rockers Dairy, Richmond Co-op, Consolidated Oil Services, Shade Foods, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, and Anderson County Livestock Sales. At his current employment with TT&T Salvage and Towing, he developed computer skills, which were leading him into many interesting new areas. After he married, he dedicated his time to his new family and became involved in some of their many activities. He moved into a house of three females, with another added later, but adapted well and took much pride and pleasure in 'his girls.' Dennis always loved riding horses and roping critters for fun, but as his family expanded, he especially enjoyed fishing, family canoe and camping trips, raising blue heeler dogs, finding a bargain and making something useful from nothing, spending time with his grandsons, and being around relatives and friends who enjoyed riding horses and roping. Just recently, Dennis and Cathy had begun singing karaoke together and enjoyed it very much. John Parsons said this about his son, 'Dennis had many ups and downs during his lifetime and wasn't perfect, but through his life, he made many, many friends, and to me, this is a measure of great success.' Kenny Teter, a dear friend as well as nephew, said, 'Here's a person who, if it was 20 degrees below zero, would take the shirt off his back and give it to you without even thinking about it.' Dennis was a member of the Richmond Fair Association and past member of Wellsville Saddle Club. He was united in marriage with Cathy (Brockus) Heck on July 25th, 1981, at Richmond. She survives, of the home. Also surviving are his parents, John and Jean Parsons of Hamilton, Missouri; three daughters, Trudy Kleitz and her husband, Shane, of Wellsville, Kristi Goebel and her fianc', Dean McDaniel, of Council Grove, Shawna Parsons of the home; two brothers, Larry Parsons and his wife, Stacy, of Plattsburg, Missouri, Terry Parsons and his wife, Bonny, of Shawnee Mission; sister, Kathy Terry and her husband, Rob, of Blue Springs, Missouri; his maternal grandmother, Wilma Guyer of Hamilton, Missouri; four grandsons, Dylan, Garrett and Dawson Kleitz, and Tristyn Goebel; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Matilda Smith; maternal grandfather, Kenneth Guyer; and brother, Kenny Dean Parsons. The family is proud that upon his death, Dennis was a tissue and bone donor. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from Richmond United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 11, 2004. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Jerry Harnden. IN STATE: Mr. Parsons will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1 to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday. He will lie in state at Richmond United Methodist Church after 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, where the family will meet with friends from 7 to 8:00 p.m. CEMETERY: Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Franklin County Mental Health Youth Programs, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Upon his death, Dennis was a tissue donor.