Patrick (Pat) Jules Parkerson

Pat was born in Dallas, Texas on September 26, 1942 to Cecil and Lillian Parkerson where he lived with his large Catholic family of three brothers and four sisters until he moved to Irving to raise his family. As a young man in west Dallas, he attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and then Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas (Class of 1960). He cherished his time at the original Jesuit campus where he played football and made lifelong friends. He then attended the University of Texas at Arlington in pursuit of his BA in Business. After college, he worked in manufacturing and sales for Southwest Airmotive, Church and Clark, and A&S Manufacturing in the metroplex, where he would finish his work career. His most important career, however, was the care of his family and his community.

Pat selflessly lived his life for others. He was a loving husband, devoted father of six, grandpa to 16, and faithful friend to countless. He was the first to volunteer for anything – meals to some, driver to others, yardman, house repair, car repair, church projects and adoration, Jesuit Phonathon, and donations where needed. He spent years giving everything he had in doing everything he could for his church and the children’s school - Holy Family of Nazareth Parish. From operating the church’s food service booth at Texas Stadium for 10+ years to presiding over fundraising festivals and events, Pat was always giving of his time and service. His son Dan said, “He has given every fiber of his being to the betterment of others.” In 2002 as a result of his tireless community outreach, he was the proud recipient of the Father Robert A Tynan Spirit Award given to a Jesuit Alumnus who epitomized the Jesuit motto, “A Man for Others”.

Pat met his wife and love Mary Patricia McDonald in grade school, and she proudly told him in the third grade that he would marry her. They were married on May 29, 1965 for 48 years until her passing in 2013. He passed on still wearing his wedding band. Together in life, they raised six children. Education being a priority for them, they sent all six through Holy Family, four daughters through Ursuline Academy, and two sons through Jesuit. Pat always made sure that his wife and children were loved and cared for. He loved to fish, cook, camp, and explore even the tiniest of towns. For years, he and Patty square danced, played cards, and attended Catholic mass every Sunday. After Patty’s death, he moved to Emerson independent living in Dallas, where he continued to amass friends and help anyone there that he could. His daughter Cindy said, “my father’s favorite pastime has been making others a little bit better off.” Pat leaves behind the legacy of love, faithfulness, and friends. His life of service, “Man for Others”, will be forever etched in the lives he touched.

He is preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Lillian, brothers Jimmy and Cecil, sisters Mary McGowan and Margaret Schmitz, wife Patty, daughter Joanna Kathleen Sullivan and her husband John, and many dear friends.

Left to cherish his memories are his brother Mike Parkerson and wife Herlinda, sister Theresa Pereira and husband Bob, sister Kathleen Hanson, sister-in-law’s Kathleen Tullis (husband Clyde), and Helen Kultgen (husband David), sister-in-law Nancy Parkerson, his children and grandchildren, Julia Kee (husband Jeff) and Justice Kee, Kathleen, Owen, and Scott Sullivan, Pamela DiPasquale (husband John) and Garrett, Jake, Tara Bradshaw (husband Will) and Jack DiPasquale, David Parkerson (wife Kristine) and Aiden, Delaney, and Ian Parkerson, Daniel Parkerson (wife Hope) Rory and Matilda Parkerson, Cynthia Canas (husband Rene) and Savannah, Alexandra, and Elijah Canas as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to his friends at Emerson (who were his second family) and especially to Kathy Tullis and husband Clyde for all the love and support you provided him and his children.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Pat will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Holy Family of Nazareth, 2323 Cheyenne St, Irving, Texas 75062.

A memorial service will occur Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Emerson on Harvest Hill, 5550 Harvest Hill Rd, Dallas, Texas 75230.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FOOD FOR THE POOR (https://foodforthepoor.org/) or general scholarships at JESUIT OF DALLAS (https://www.jesuitdallas.org/giving/