Oliver Parson left us peacefully early Monday morning, April 29, 2013 in Rexburg, Idaho —four years shy of the 100 years that he claimed he would achieve.

Oliver was born in the heart of Kansas on Christmas Eve 1916.
His family moved to Utah in 1938, where he met his eternal sweetheart, Myra Barker. They were married in 1940 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They had nine children.

He became a well known artist and beloved art teacher.

In 1954, Oliver moved his family to Rexburg and became the first Art Department head at Ricks College, serving in that capacity for over 20 years. He taught until 1979.

Oliver was drawn to the majesty of mountains, the beauty and drama of nature, and the old West. A prolific artist, he produced thousands of impressionistic paintings in oils, watercolors, and pastels. His love for life and learning and creating was tireless. He loved to work, relished being with his family and was devoted to his faith.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Myra Barker, one granddaughter, Chancy Parson, and one grandson, Shane Heaton.

He will be greatly missed by his surviving children: Anita McPherson of Salem, Idaho, Sherma Heaton of Las Vegas, Nev., Diann Macbeth of Kennewick, Wash., Del Parson of Cedar City, Utah, Leon Parson of Rexburg, Idaho, Jodell Faris of Nampa, Idaho, Nolan Parson of Teton, Idaho, Loraine Lindstrom of Glendora, Calif., and Kelvin Parson of Van Nuys, Calif, 48 surviving grandchildren and 121 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at the Salem LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Sugar City Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Madison County Veterans and the Idaho Honor Guard.