Samuel Parra, age 91, of Springfield, Illinois, passed into Jesus’s arms in the company of his loving wife Jeanette and family on Sunday, October 22nd, 2023. The Heavens have welcomed a giant of a man, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. While our hearts are heavy, they are also full of joy as there will be dancing and singing among the stars and heaven.
Born and raised in Tunja, Colombia, Samuel immigrated to the United States in 1963 to complete his surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He met the love of his life, Jeanette Neupauer by a chance encounter at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Sam and Jeanette shared 58 years of marriage and raised 7 children together. They shared a love of travel and adventure with their children and many grandchildren.
Samuel practiced as a general surgeon in Pennsylvania, Texas, South Dakota, Delaware, Minnesota, and Illinois. He also served his country as a Lt. Colonel Physician in the US Army during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991. After retirement, he volunteered for 22 years on medical mission trips including Honduras, Cameroon, Zambia, Mexico, Jamaica, Kenya, Swaziland, Somalia, Philippines, St. Lucia, Nigeria, and India.
The love of his family and his fellow man was felt by everyone he encountered. Samuel is survived by his wife, Jeanette; children, Rosita (Tom) Harford, Sandra (Bob) Lamont, Marcia (Kyle) Wieberdink, David (Kelly) Parra, Lisa (James) Thiele, Andrea (Josh) Nolting, and Jonathan Parra, as well as 16 grandchildren.
Cremation will be provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.
Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 27, 2023, at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Adlai Stevenson Dr., Springfield with Rev. Al Kemme, celebrant. Private family burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Catholic Medical Mission Board.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.
