Gary Earl Parkin

Gary Parkin, who was born on the family property in Poplar Bluff on August 12th, 1944, closed his eyes on Earth for the last time on that same property on December 31st 2015 surrounded by his family. When he opened his eyes in Heaven he was greeted by his parents, Earl and Pearl, his daughters: Charmin, Tina and Jessie Ellen and his brother Jerry. Left here to long for the days when they get to hear his voice tell great stories of critters and the family history again are his daughters: Ginny Barker (Bloomfield, MO) and Amanda Arevalo (Fennimore, WI); his 13 grandchildren; his sister, Lee and her husband, Rich Buerge (Aspen, CO); his brother, Don; and sisters-in-law, Susan Parkin and Shirley Parkin-Moore.

Gary loved history and spent many days visiting historic civil war battlefields, as a historian and as a re-enactor with the 7th Arkansas CSA Infantry. He also was pleased to volunteer with the Doniphan Neighborhood Assistance Program, bringing history to life for the public. He'll be missed for his great kindness to everyone he knew.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3rd at Cotrell Funeral Chapel at 701 Vine St. in Poplar Bluff with a Celebration of life following at 4 p.m. led by his friend and son-in-law, Pastor Dave Arevalo.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that people send a donation in Gary's name to the Doniphan Neighborhood Assistance Program.