Leroy P. "Roy" Parsons

Birth: He was born in 1897 at California.  

Family Information: Son of Fred Parsons.

Brother of Robert A. Parsons.  

Description:  

Pre-Colony History: In 1900 he was living in California with his parents and three brothers. In 1910 he was still in California with his parents and one brother. He was a member of the U.S. Army from March 1918 through December 1918.

He came to the colony in November 1932 and was introduced by his dad as his youngest son, a fine, upstanding fellow, who had arrived some ten days previous from Kalamazoo. In answer to the query, "What's doing up there?" he replied, "Dead as a door-nail."  

Home in Colony:  

Job in Colony: Soon after arriving in November 1932 he was doing some plain and fancy shaping on the shaper in the wood shop. He was an experienced cook, but was hesitant to tell anyone.

In December 1933 Claude Long, Leo Roscoe, Cecil Thompson and Fred Busick began tearing down the rig at No. 2; the lumber would be salvaged and put to use again as good as new. Roy went along in his usual capacity -- that of first-class cook.

In February 1936, he was working on oil well No. 3. In August of that year, he and Jack Murray were busy removing an old washing machine from the laundry (for repairs) and installing a practically new, but smaller one.

In September 1937 Cy Horney was the only helper for Charlie Worden, who was in charge of the boiler plant, which had to be kept running or water pumping would be stopped, lights would be out, colony functions would stop and industry in the colony would be done. Roy, as the new industrial foreman, was raking the colony from one end to the other, searching for a third fireman to take on another shift at the boilers.

Other Info: In August 1936 he, Doc Williams and Charley Derleth made a hasty run to Shreveport searching for a much-needed "dado" or groove cutting machine to be used, but none could be found. While there, they stopped to inquire after two colonists who'd been some time in the Shreveport hospital -- E.A. Bennett and George Collins. It was too early for visiting hours, but they inquired of the head nurse and she assured them that both patients were doing finely. 

Post-Colony History:  

Death: He died in 1980 in Texas of advanced emphysema, pneumonia and respiratory failure.  

Sources: US Census: 1900, 1910; "Llano Colonist": December 3, 1932, December 9, 1933, February 29, 1936, August 8, 1936, September 18, 1937; US Dept. of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File; Texas Death Certificates