L. Gifford Parkhurst
Jan 13, 1917 – Jun 16, 2020
Louis Gifford Parkhurst passed away on June 16, 2020. He was born on January 13, 1917 in Putnam, Oklahoma. He was the son of George E. and Della Maye Parkhurst. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-four years, Gertrude Kendall Parkhurst. He is survived by two sons, L.G. Jr. and wife, Patricia Parkhurst and Mark K. Parkhurst. He was the grandfather of Jonathan Parkhurst and Kathryn Winterscheidt and husband Brian. He was the great grandfather of Benjamin, Natalie, Lindsay, Caleb, Meghan, and Forest Winterscheidt. He owned Western Auto Store in Edmond until he retired in 1984. He was the founding Scoutmaster of Troup 479, BSA, and past President and charter member of the Edmond Lions Club. He volunteered his time to help the Edmond Historical Society, the Order of DeMolay, and the Edmond Band Boosters. He was an Elder Emeritus at First Christian Church of Edmond.
Memorial gifts can be made to the First Christian Church of Edmond. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 19, 2020 at Matthews Funeral Home with a private burial to follow.
For those unable to attend, prior to the service a link will be provided below where the service may be viewed online.
To watch the service click the link below.
I met Mr. Parkhurst when when my father took me to the Western Auto Store to buy me a bike. Mr. Parkhurst was so nice. He shared my excitement as I picked out my new bike. We moved to Edmond later and I attended Edmond Schools until I graduated from Edmond High in 1963. I got to know the family well. We enjoyed their company at the store , the Christian Church and school events L.G. and Mark became friends and we so enjoyed growing up in Edmond. What a wonderful family. Please accept my sincere regards and sympathy.
alruble66@yahoo.com
Simply, a wonderful, Christian man. He and his wife Trudie made an indelible mark on my life. I grew up next door to the Parkhursts on 4th Street and became good friends with the family. Mark was near my age and L.G. the age of my brother. I recall good times with them. I bought both my first bike and radio from the Western Auto store. I am saddened by his death but celebrate his life because he lived a life of Christian love and forgiveness.
Thanks Kevin. Hope you and family are doing well. These days have been tough. 3 months of separation had it toll on all. Thankful we could hold his hand.
Murl Ergenbright says
June 18,2020
I worked for Mr. Parkhurst at Western Auto for 2 years. My Family lived next door to the Parkhurst also on 4th Street and enjoyed their friendship. I was just thinking of him this week and wondered how he was doing. I remembered him as a Godly man and how we worked together while I was attending College. Please accept our sympathy in the loss of your Dad.
Thanks Murl. I was thinking about and the other guys that worked with Dad and went to Central. Mark
I met the Parkhurst family through the Western Auto Store on Broadway in downtown Edmond when I went into the store to buy a tether ball to hang on the pole my Dad had planted in our backyard on Main Street. I think I was about nine-years old, so it would have been about 1957. I knew the price of the tether ball, but was not aware of something called “sales tax.” I was short. Gifford’s Dad was at the counter, minding the store and seeing my crestfallen, almost tearful face, forgave that portion of the bill and let me have the ball for the amount I had in my little fist.
The rest of the family was as kind as the elder Mr. Parkhurst. I was later to meet Mark in Junior High and have considered him one of my closest friends to this day.
You were a good man Mister Parkhurst, God speed!
So sorry to hear about your loss, LG. 45 years ago you agreed to marry me… to Doug. We are still going strong.