Byron Edward Parsons September 25, 1931 – November 25, 2013

Barney Parsons, former Mayor of Antioch, went home to Jesus, November 25, 2013 surrounded by his loving family after a long illness. Barney is survived by his devoted wife of 25 years, Martha, loving daughters Nancy Basista (Kelly) and Sue Parsons, granddaughters Breyena and Brittany Parsons and grandsons Zach, Josh, and Taylor Basista, all of Antioch…all who will miss him terribly. Barney’s family was the most important thing in his life and he adored his grandchildren!

Barney came to Antioch at the age of 3 ½, having been born in Los Angeles to Curtis Ambrose Parsons and Elizabeth “Bettie” Stephens Parsons Carini on September 25, 1931. In his early years in Antioch, he and Orlie Compomizzo became best friends and fished, hunted fowl and trapped mink in and around the islands across the San Joaquin River…always following the rules; they rowed their boat across to the traps daily no matter the weather, as that was a legal requirement of trapping. He often commented that he and Orlie would walk around downtown Antioch with a hunting rifle on their shoulders…something that would not happen now remarking how he had a great childhood.

Barney was one of “the guys” growing up in Antioch, besides Orlie, he was fast friends with Jim Coalter, Norm Cone, Curt Casey, Donnie McFarlan, Don McKinney, Nick Rodriquez, Itsie and Gino Marchetti, Worth Shaw and so many others. Barney loved sports and excelled at basketball (he broke his arm the first practice for football at Antioch High) so, basketball got all his attention after that! He said he considered himself very lucky to have Coach “Babe” Atkinson in high school and they continued to be good friends until Babe’s death. According to him, taking Mrs. Beede’s Typing class was one of the best decisions he made as his ability to type helped him when he was drafted.

After graduating from Antioch High, Barney attended Modesto JC, East Contra Costa JC and finally San Jose State. Another way he said his youth was different from the young men growing up now, was the various industrial plants in and around Antioch, Glass Containers, Fibreboard (both 4th St and Wilbur plants}, the canneries, etc., hired the kids during the Summer break and they didn’t have time to get in trouble and they all learned trades.

Barney was drafted into the Army while in his junior year at San Jose State, late in the Korean Conflict. At that time, people on the West Coast complained that their sons were going to Japan and Far East in harm’s way and the young men on the East Coast were going to Europe. So when Barney got out of Boot Camp because of his high test scores and his ability to type, he was sent to Wurzburg, Germany. He became part of the “Big Red One” working for several Generals in the “War Room”. He knew where every tank and soldier was worldwide. Getting this Security Clearance caused his family back in Antioch some anxious moments. The FBI interviewed neighbors and the neighbors went to his mother and grandmother wanting to know what Barney had done wrong!

Barney was baptized Catholic while in Germany, vacationed for a week in Rome, and kidded that he and his friend John Ratto had a private audience with Pope Pius XII…he, Ratto and 150,000 other people. He was a man of great faith and enjoyed volunteering at Holy Rosary School’s monthly “Holy Hotcakes” breakfasts and being Ticket Sales Co-Chair of the Harvest Faire with Martha for 13 years.

When Barney returned to Antioch, he was one of the first employees hired with the opening of the DuPont Plant on Wilbur Avenue. Barney retired after 40 years, rising over the course of his employment from lab tech to lab supervisor then, buyer to end his career as the Regional Buyer for the West Coast “White Pigments” plants reporting to the Old Hickory, TN Headquarters. During the course of his employment, because of his integrity and high standards he set for himself, he was chosen to teach “Ethics and Quality Leadership” to other DuPont employees around the United States.

Barney’s love of young people shown through in his years as a Little League Coach of the Chargers with Don McKinney and as President of Little League in 1972 – the year girls were admitted to the League…he was very proud of that accomplishment. Barney was also President of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce as well as an Ambassador of the Year Award recipient.
Barney served on the Planning Commission for 5 years before his election to the Antioch City Council serving from 1972 to 1976, and was mayor in 1973.

His proudest accomplishment during his time on the council was starting the Antioch Redevelopment Agency and purchasing the old Sears building downtown, which is now the Nick Rodriguez Community Center. Barney was a thoughtful leader, listening and gathering all the information before making a decision. When getting to that decision required compromise; he was a great negotiator. He left the Council after one term as he felt more freedom to get things done for the community as a private citizen.

Immediately following his leaving the Council, Barney was appointed the 1st Chair of the Antioch Police Commission…a commission he asked the succeeding Council to form. He also requested the Council rename Paso Corte Road to James Donlon Blvd after a former Mayor of Antioch and they agreed to honor his request.

Barney served as the county representative on the Tri-Delta Transit Board of Directors for 26 years something he thoroughly enjoyed, continuing to read and comment on items on the agenda even after he left the board. Barney was also proud to be a part of the dedication of the John A. Nejedly Bridge in 1979.

Though Barney slowed down in the last few years due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, he still served on the Contra Costa Fair Board of Directors and the Delta Science Center Board of Directors. His current community involvement includes being Charter Member of the Antioch Historical Society and Antioch-Chichibu Sister City Organization, a member of VFW Post 6435, ARNAMA, Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch – with terms as Distinguished President and Distinguished Lt Governor of Cal-Nev-Ha Division 26 of Kiwanis International, Sons of Italy C. Colombo Lodge #1315 and B.P.O.Elks Pittsburg Lodge #1474.

No record of Barney’s life would be complete without a mention of his love of animals. Two pets in particular stand out. Teufel Duke Parsons, the family long-haired German Shepard whose death from cancer made Barney state “never want another dog, it hurt too much to lose Teufel” and Mia Parsons, who just showed up in the backyard at their Lake Alhambra home. Mia is 133 lbs. of love; a black Lab –Berkshire Newfoundland mix that was his wonderful, loving four-legged companion during his declining health.

Barney’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of many who knew him, especially his wife, daughters and his adored grandchildren who will forever miss their “Papa Barney”!

A visitation will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1313 A St., followed by a rosary at 10:30 a.m. and memorial Mass. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, followed by a 1 PM reception at the Contra Costa Fairgrounds.

Because of Barney’s love of Antioch, young people and animals, the family requests donations in lieu of flowers in Parsons’ memory are made to the Antioch Police Activities League or the Antioch Police K-9 Unit, 300 L St., Antioch, CA 94509.

http://www.higginsmortuary.com/obituaries/Byron-Edward-Parsons2082231066/