LAWRENCE R. PARSONS obituary

Lawrence Robert Parsons, 54, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, at Bear Paw Hospice in Havre. He was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor on May 19, 2005.

A memorial service will be 7 p.m. Friday at Fifth Avenue Christian Church with the Rev. Rowlie Hutton officiating. The family suggests that people dress casually in jeans for the service. Private family interment of the cremated remains will be held at the Highland Cemetery.

Lawrence was born Jan. 5, 1951, the first child of Otis and Alvina Parsons in Wallace, Idaho. He attended school in Superior, graduating in 1969. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1982.

In 1973 he married Ilene Mesenbrink. They had four children and later divorced. In 1997, he married Christina Bunton in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

He was employed by the Montana Department of Transportation for 26 years, working in Saltese, Sula, Wolf Point and Shelby. He retired as maintenance superintendent on Oct. 31, 1997. After retiring, he moved to Havre and was employed by Baltrusch Construction.

Larry loved his children and adored his grandchildren. He loved to read, was an avid carpenter and mechanic, and liked to hunt. Larry was a very generous person, always giving of his time and energy to people when needed. Larry was a Christian and a member of Fifth Avenue Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Otis, in 1989 and his daughter Melanie in 1978.

He is survived by his wife, Christina Parsons of Havre; stepdaughters, Logan and Lauren Bunton of Havre; daughters: Bobbi (Mike) Swinney of Gildford, and Christina Parsons of Fort Benton; son, Craig Parsons of Havre; former spouse, Ilene Parsons of Havre; mother, Alvina Parsons of Havre; sisters, Karen (Stan) Knupp of Rifle, Colo., Donna (Cole) Seeley of Frenchtown, Diane (Lou) Day of Winlock, Wash., and Marilyn (Dave) Robinson of Columbia Falls; brothers, Roscoe Parsons of Kalispell, and Mike (Darlene) Parsons of Yuma, Ariz; half- brother, Bill (Nancy) Kasner of Coeur d'Alene; half-sister, Lynn (Luke) Vandine of Torrington, Conn.; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and four granddaughters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Havre Girls Fast Pitch, P.O. Box 323, Havre, MT 59501. Arrangements are by Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.