Benjamin L Parkison

Lt. Col. Benjamin L. "Parky" Parkison, 96, Holts Summit, Mo., a Pearl Harbor survivor, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at his residence. He was born on February 9, 1920, in Cardin, Okla., the son of Benjamin Earl and Malissa Mae (Pliler) Parkison who preceded him in death. He was married to Reva Mae Messer on June 17, 1941, in Cardin, Okla., who preceded him in death on November 27, 2004. He commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in June 1941, stationed at Hickam Field as a pilot in the US Army/Air Corps. He was there during the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He left Hawaii for stateside in June 1942. He also served in the Korean War in the 307th Bomb Squadron; retiring in December 1963, as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a bomber pilot and flew pilot in command of B-17's, B-18's, B-24's, B-25's, B-29's, B-36's, B-47's and the last was B-52's with the Strategic Air Command (SAC), to name a few. After his retirement, he and his wife lived in San Antonio, Texas, where he worked for USAA until he retired again in 1980. Four years after his wife's death, he moved to Holts Summit, Mo., to live with his daughter and her husband. In 2010, he went on the Mid-Missouri Honor Flight to visit his memorials. Survivors include: one daughter, Alberta Wekenborg and her husband, Jimmy, of Holts Summit, Mo.; two grandchildren, Malissa Briggler and her husband Jeff and Shelley Talbot and her husband Brandon; two step-grandchildren, Laurie Darling and her husband, Steve and Todd Wekenborg and his wife, Staci; four great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Talbot, Bella Talbot, Clara Underwood and Mary Briggler; three step-great-grandchildren, JT Darling, Paige Wekenborg and Jace Wekenborg; three nephews; one niece; and many friends. He was also preceded in death by infant daughter, Julia Mae Parkison; three brothers, Earl Parkison, Ray Parkison and Woody Parkison; and one sister, Edna Polson. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at First Christian Church in New Bloomfield, Mo. Officiating will be Rev. Joe Gibson. Burial will be in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas with full military honors on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church of New Bloomfield, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St., Fulton, MO 65251. Online condolences may be offered at www.debofuneralhome.com.