Obituary of John "Ladd" Parsons

Dr. John Laurence "Ladd" Parsons was born in Rocky Mountain House on March 12, 1920 the second son of Albert and Helena Parsons. He grew up and went to school in Rocky and worked for his father in the timber business for a while. Ladd joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served in WWII. Ladd was posted in various places in Canada before he was sent overseas to England. While on leave in 1942 he returned to marry Marjorie (Madge) Mellors. In the next few years they lost an infant daughter as well as an infant son. After the War, Ladd mustered out of the Air Force and returned to school. He went to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. While there he worked as a janitor at the college and Madge worked as a cashier in the school cafeteria. Ladd graduated in June 1947 and they returned to Alberta where he entered practice with Dr. Lou Heard in Edmonton. In 1950, Ladd purchased a practice in Camrose, Alberta from Dr. Johnson and they remained in Camrose from then on. In 1948, they had a son Gregory Albert Parsons and in 1952 another son, Graham Laurence Parsons. Madge was lost in a motor vehicle accident on March 13, 1977 and Ladd was badly injured. He recovered and went back to practicing with his son Greg Parsons until his retirement. Ladd and Helen Sturdy were married on August 15, 1981. After Ladd retired from practice he went to work for Dr. Derrill Herman at Professional Health Products. Ladd loves horses, camping in the woods - especially in the Rocky Mountain House area. He and Helen had a membership in Wilderness Village at Crimson Lake near Rocky Mountain House where they spent many wonderful and happy days. Dr. Ladd, as he was affectionately known, was kind and helpful to everyone he met. He loved his family, community, friends and the practice of Chiropractic. He was very involved in the community through the Rotary Club, Lions, Royal Canadian Legion, Minor Sports, and Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 644. He was very proud of the Air Cadets as he was the Civil Chairman. Ladd, along with several others, Blaine Fowler, Steve Shuman, Dennis Twomey, brought Squadron 644 to be awarded the number one squadron in Canada. Dr. Ladd passed away in St. Mary's Hospital on September 4, 2012 at 92 years of age. A Funeral Service was held 1:00 p.m., Saturday September 8, 2012 from Burgar Memorial Chapel with Rev. Brian Hunter officiating. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 57, or to the charity of one's choice.