Franklin Donald Parkinson, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather returned peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, to the arms of his Heavenly Father on October 22, 2017. He was born in 1927 in Long Beach, California to Franklin Stuart Nuttall Parkinson and Ora (Wilson) Parkinson. He married his sweetheart Barbara Schultz on September 10, 1955 and they were later sealed in the Los Angeles Temple and together raised four children. Though she never learned the origin, his favorite name for his sweetheart was Lil' Toot and he used it for all his love notes and gifts to her.
He attended Glendale High School in Los Angeles after which he honorably served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1944 to 1946. In 1956 he joined the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and retired from the detective division in 1983 with commendations. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and devoted disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Don was a man of great integrity and loved being of service. He enjoyed restoring classic cars with his son Dan (especially Ford Mustangs), western movies and spending time with his family by whom he is greatly admired.
He will be missed by his wife Barbara, son Daniel (Alison) Parkinson and daughters Lisa (Brett) Savage and Beth Parkinson Magann as well as 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He joins his son Gregory Mark Parkinson.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 27, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Pepperwood LDS Chapel, 2195 East Pepperwood Drive (10900 South 2195 East), Sandy, Utah. Guests are welcome to arrive at 10 a.m. to personally converse with family members until 10:50 a.m. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy Utah.
