Jose Francisco Parra

Born to Mario Parra Bahena and Hilaria Garcia de Parra, he was the first of 7. It took a special kind of person to help raise 6 younger brothers and a sister in the 1950's and 60's. Strong, trustworthy, dedicated, and caring, Pepe was all that and more. He loved being the oldest and wore it as a badge of honor.

Leading by example, Pepe was an exemplary student and from a young age knew what he wanted to do. He knew that hard work and determination get you ahead in this world and proved that by earning a full scholarship to the prestigious U.N.A.M in Mexico City. He earned his degree in Chemical Engineering and dedicated the next 44 years to the field. His home office is full of data books, manuals, system procedures, flow designs, hard hats and possibly every process engineering manual ever made. Pepe loved his job and had the good fortune to have worked and traveled all over the world. From the Arctic to the Caribbean, the North Sea to the Persian Gulf, all over Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Engineering was his life but the only thing he loved more than being an engineer was being married to Betty.

Pepe and Betty met in 1968, when he was 18 and she was 16. Back in the day when roller skates were still a thing, they were in a rink when Betty conveniently fell in front of Pepe. Being the gentleman he is, he helped her up and they skated together for the next 55 yrs. Their love was instant. Married in 1974, this December 21st would've marked their 49th wedding anniversary.

Cancer might have taken him, but it did not beat him. Pepe was at peace when he left this world, his faith in God was unbreakable. His wife and children were all by his bedside when he accepted God's call to come home. Those left to live and cherish his memory are his wife Betty, son Jose Francisco Parra Jr. his children Andrea and Frankie III, son Rodrigo Parra and his sons Gabriel and Daniel, son Marco Parra and his wife Monserrat. To his brothers and sister, he loved you. To his nieces and nephews, he loved you. To his friends, he loved you.

Pepe was a special guy, so to everyone who was lucky enough to know him, you're welcome.

Descanse en paz Pa. Te queremos.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.settegastkopf.com for the Parra family.