Beverly Wayne Parsons (1924 - 2020)

Born 1 May 1924 in Fort Dick, Del Norte, California, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Dec 2020 at age 96 in Carmichael, Sacramento, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Robin Shaules [send private message]

Biography

Early Life

Wayne, as he went by, was born on 1 May 1924 in Fort Dick, Del Norte, California, USA to Henry and Marian Elkerton Parsons.^[1]

He was living with his parents and younger sister, Shirley, on Third Street, in Crescent City, Del Norte, California, USA on 11 Apr 1930^[2]

Wayne continued to live with his family, which had grown with the addition of two more boys, K. Dale and C. Gary, by 11 Apr 1940. They were living on "L" Street in Crescent City, and had been there since at least 1935.^[3]

He graduated from Del Norte County High School in June of 1942 where he had excelled in all of his classes, especially in shorthand speed writing.^[4]

World War II & the US Navy

Wayne Parsons served in the United States Navy in World War II
Service started: Apr 1943
Unit(s): Naval Records Office
Service ended: 1946

Wayne Parsons was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.

Wayne was a Veteran of the United States Navy, having served during World War II.^[1] He was inducted into the US Navy in Apr 1943. He was working as an assistant office clerk with the US Engineer's War Department in Crescent City initially. He was sent to Farragut, Idaho for his basic training. Later he worked as a Naval Records Officer and Office Clerk in Berkeley, California. His office skills and his expertise in shorthand were valued by the Navy throughout World War II. In June 1946, Wayne received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, having received several commendations including the American Area Victory Medal and the Honorable Service Award. He also received recognition for his proficiency in records management.^[4]

Education & Working Life

Following his discharge from the Navy, he enrolled in the Business School at the University of California at Berkeley. There he graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.^[4]

Wayne was hired, in 1947, by the Western Electric Company in San Francisco, California after he graduated from UC Berkeley. He was initially hired as a Management Trainee, but he spent 35 years with the company, being moved into increasingly responsible positions. He held the job of Section Chief of Stock Maintenance, Plant Service, Receiving and Shipping, and Warehousing. He retired as a Senior Executive. During his years at Western Electric he was honored for his skills as an innovator in new concepts and design in telephone apparatus and manufacturing. He was known as a an accomplished negotiator, and as an expert cost reduction analyst. He also helped to introduce computer technology to the company. Wayne also served as Western Electric's Sponsored Executive for the San Francisco United Way in 1979. ^[4]

Once Wayne had retired from Western Electric, he became an independent financial advisor and investor. He had had a lifelong interest in the stock market.^[4]

Family Life & Personal Interests

Wayne met Arthur Gravatt in 1947 in Carmel. The two men had a common interest in art, music, opera, classic cars, travel, family gatherings, and interior design. They became fast friends and partners, their relationship lasting for 63 years, until Art's passing in 2010. In 1951, Wayne purchased a classic 1938 Packard Super 8 Limousine. He owned and kept this car in concours condition for 70 years. This automobile was the inspiration towards Wayne and Art, in 1953, helping to establish the Packard Automobile Club to honor the Packard Car Company's legacy and history, and to preserve classic Packard automobiles.^[4]

Along with his interest in the Packard Automobile, other classic cars, and classic car shows, Wayne also enjoyed playing classical music on his 1904 Steinway Piano. He also enjoyed traveling throughout the country and overseas. He truly enjoyed participating in family gatherings and was devoted to caring for his parents, siblings, and Art in their final years, all who predeceased him.^[4]

Death & Burial

He passed away on 9 Dec 2020, at the age of 96, in Carmichael, Sacramento, California, USA. A celebration of life was held outdoors on 9 Jan 2021 at the IOOF Cemetery in Crescent City.^[4] He is buried near his brother, Dale and sister-in-law, Hazel in the IOOF Cemetery (Old South section), a part of the Crescent City Cemetery in Crescent City.^[1][5]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 19 February 2021), memorial page for Beverly Wayne Parsons (1 May 1924–9 Dec 2020), Find A Grave: Memorial #219603205, citing IOOF Cemetery, Crescent City, Del Norte County, California, USA ; Maintained by john haines (contributor 47103328) .
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCXR-XR1 : accessed 19 February 2021), Wayne B Parsons in household of Henry J Parsons, Crescent City, Del Norte, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1, sheet 8A, line 8, family 218, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 115; FHL microfilm 2,339,850
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9Q6-8H2 : 5 January 2021), Wayne B Parsons in household of Henry J Parsons, Crescent City, Del Norte, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 8-1, sheet 6B, line 69, family 154, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 199.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7} "Wayne" Parsons Obituary Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California, 3 Jan 2021
5. ↑ First hand information from Robin Shaules (Personal visit to cemetery, 3 Feb 2021)