father - William B Parkinson // mother- Edith Benson

Written about Ezra Benson "Ben" Parkinson by his sister, Karma in her Autobiography...


"Ezra Benson (Ben) was my next brother (after Fred and John). He was a fine person, just a couple years older than I. He always had a song on his lips and a happy word. Everyone thrilled to his gorgeous voice. He sang for many funerals and entertainments. Our home always rang with his songs. It was a great sorrow to all the family when he was taken from us at the age of 27. He was just in his prime. They were planning to record his voice, which was a new thing at that time. He was engaged to marry Lucille Rogers, a beautiful friend of mine, and was attending school at the University of Utah studying to be a doctor, when the influenza epidemic struck. He was stricken and pneumonia developed and he was one with in a week. It was my duty to break the news to Lucille. I was then living at a practice house for six weeks, which was a requirement for getting my degree, and was allowed to go home for a few days, but went back to school and finished my work there. This was a very hard thing for me to do because Ben was a graduate and had been so popular with his music. He had also been song leader and everyone came to me to offer their sympathy". -Karma Benson Parkinson (Sister to Ezra Benson Parkinson)


FUNERAL SERVICES OF BEN PARKINSON

A great throng of friends assembled on the lawn of the residence of Dr. and Mrs. W. B. Parkinson on First West street yesterday afternoon to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of their beloved son, the late E. Benson Parkinson, who succumbed to influenza-Pneumonia on Saturday last, as previously recorded.
The floral offerings, in both beauty and profusion, were notable even at this time, when fine displays are common; and the attendance was exceptional large for an outdoor funeral both of which features were indicative of the high esteem in which he was held. A quartet composed of J. W. McMurrin, Karl Farnsworth, Arthur Olsen and Chales O. Peterson sang several fine selections, and Miss Evangeline Thomas, a lady who had upon numerous occasions sung with the deceased, sang a beautiful solo. The opening prayer was offered by Elder Joseph E. Cardon. Dr. George Thomas was the only speaker. As Benson Parkinson's instructor and close friend, both at the Agricultural College and the University of Utah, he had been afforded exceptional opportunity to become intimately acquainted with the life and character of the deceased, to both of which he paid the highest tribute as being of an exceptional character. His life was pure, his character strong and his ideals high.
Bishop Merkley pronounced the benediction. An exceptionaly long cortege of automobiles filled with mourners and friend of the deceased and family accompanied the remains to the cemetery, where Elder Newell W. Kimball dedicated the grave.