Decatur– John Rex Parkinson, 88, of Decatur died on June 21, 2010, in Imboden Creek Living Center.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral home, Mt. Zion. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be in Point Pleasant Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the United Professional Horsemen’s Association Benevolent Fund, American Hackney Horse Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, or to Millikin University.
Rex was born October 15, 1921, in Peoria, IL the son of Fred and Mary Floy (Morrow) Parkinson. He was a W.W. II veteran having served in the US Army Air Corp from October of 1942 through December of 1945. He was a prominent trainer of American Saddlebred Horses, Hackney Ponies, Roadster Horses, and Morgans. He was honored by his peers, who awarded him the United Professional Horseman’s Association Hall of Fame, their Distinguished Service Award and he served on the UPHA board for fifteen years. He was inducted into the Kentucky State Fair Horse Show Hall of Fame, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Mid-West Hackney Association and the American Hackney Horse Society. He was past president of the American Saddlebred Breeders Association of Illinois and served on their board for many years. He also served on the board of the Mid-West Hackney Association, the Midwest Horse Show Association, and the Advisory Board for the Illinois State Fair. He was a past president of the American Road Horse and Pony Association and served on their board for several years.
He married Shirley Simcox on December 8, 1951.
Surviving is his wife: Shirley of Decatur, daughter: Vicki Whitmer and her husband Bob of Mt. Zion; brother: Stuart Parkinson and his wife Phyllis of Springfield, step grandson: Bobby Whitmer and his wife Stephanie; step great-grandchildren: Katie and Jonathon Whitmer of Decatur. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Max Parkinson and Bob Parkinson and a sister: Jane Challacombe.
The family would like to thank Imboden Creek for their loving and compassionate care, especially his therapist, Diane, who kept him up and walking.
Uncle Rex,
I have 63 years of memories which I will use to see me through. We shared lots of things, including our birthdays. They are all happy memories. I know you are resting in God's arms now.
Your Neice
Lorrie
| La Monica / Cooper Family |
Our Hearts Are With You |
June 23, 2010 |
To Vicki, Shirley, Bob, and Family:
Our Hearts are with you in the loss of your dad/husband. We know that you will cherish all of the memories that you had with him and hope that as a family you all can get thru this tough time together.. We love you guys and want you to know that we are all thinking about you.
Your Family at The Main Hangar
| Kim Gash |
Old Horse Friend |
June 22, 2010 |
Rex was and will be always one of my favorite people just as Shirley will always be - I have been away from the horse business for years, but Rex and Shirley are always stand outs in my memories of very fine people and just a lot of fun. Rex had quite a sense of humor and a good natured twinkle in his eye. Quite a partnership Shirley and Rex and what super horses and ponies they trained. My thoughts are with you Shirley and Vicki. I may have not seen or talked to you in a long time, but your whole family was a bright spot for me. This music reminds me of Rex and Shirley dancing, quite a duo.
| Cindy Archer |
Friend |
June 22, 2010 |
Shirley and Vicki -
I have known and admired Rex my whole life. I remember I used to be afraid to speak to him when I was little because I was so in awe of him. As I grew older (and less afraid!) I came to treasure the stories that he shared with me about his life in the horse business. I only wish that Megan could have had the honor of knowing him as I did.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both -
Cindy
| Eric & Diana Vannaken |
Friends |
June 22, 2010 |
Shirley & Vicki,
May God be with you as you reminisce about the life of this great man. He has touched so many lives, both human & equine. His touch made so many horses into great champions. Remember, memories are the legacy of love.
Love, Eric & Diana
| Macon County Honor Guard |
Bugler |
June 22, 2010 |
Thank you for allowing us to perform the last measure of respect for our fallen comrade.
