Carol Junior "CJ" Parkinson, 80, of St. Louis, Missouri died Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis Missouri from complications of Covid-19. Private family services will be held in Le Mars, Iowa.

Carol Junior Parkinson was born in Le Mars, Iowa to Carol and Myrtle (Thompson) Parkinson on September 8, 1939. He grew up in Le Mars and graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1957. After getting his degree from Westmar College, he was the band director at Gehlen Catholic School and later Meridan-Cleghorn Schools.

In 1960, he married Virginia Huppe in Berthoud, Colorado. They had one daughter, Amy. In 1980, CJ moved to Forsythe, Missouri. He was later married to his second wife, Connie and they resided in St. Louis where CJ managed a health food store until his retirement.

CJ was a big band buff and an accomplished string bass player. He looked forward to baseball season and was an avid Dodger and Cardinal fan. He will be remembered for his humorous story telling. His faith in God and his teaching were a part of his life to the very end. In earlier years he started Bible studies which grew. This led, eventually, to the formation of the Le Mars Bible Church.

He is survived by daughter Amy of Longmont, Colorado; two sisters, Helen Vance and Jane (Richard) Schultz of Le Mars, Iowa. He will be lovingly remembered by six nephews, Gary, Tom, Dick, Kirk Vance and David and Alan Schultz; and one niece, Paula Schultz and many friends.

CJ was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Connie; and brother-in-law, Ken Vance.