Roy H. Parkinson, Sr.

Roy H. Parkinson, Sr., age 72, of Gulfport, died Tuesday, November 28, 2006 in Gulfport. Mr. Parkinson was born in Durant, MS and was a longtime resident of Gulfport. He was a graduate of Durant High School and Holmes County Junior College which he attended on a football scholarship. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. For many years he and his sister, Jonnie Parkinson were well known in the paving industry through their association with Gulf Paving Co. He later owned and operated Coast Crane, Inc. He was Baptist and an avid supporter of youth sports in Orange Grove. He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyette and Maggie Parkinson; brothers, Boyette Parkinson, Jr. and Jerry D. Parkinson; and a grandchild, Claudia Burkes. Mr. Parkinson is survived by his wife of 48 years, Melba Layton Parkinson of Gulfport; three daughters, Paula Parkinson of Biloxi, Dr. Rhonda Clark and her husband, Wynn of Biloxi, Jennifer Burkes and her husband, Jeff of Gulfport; a son, Roy H. Parkinson, Jr. and his wife, Rhonda Kay of Gulfport; four sisters, Jonnie Parkinson of Biloxi, Cathryn Maxwell of Webb, Pauline Phillips of Memphis, and Jane Smith of Lexington; and his five grandchildren, who were the joy of his life, Tripp Parkinson, Hayden Parkinson, Gentry Burkes, Stephen Clark, and Skylar Parkinson. The funeral service will be Thursday, Novemeber 30, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport where friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi.