Burdette Parrott

Burdette "Shorty" Parrott was born August 23, 1920, the son of Horace "Hod" Boise and Vera (Newport) Parrott in Anita, Iowa, and passed away Saturday, June 30, 2012, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

Shorty lived in Anita until he was 8 years old. He then moved to Atlantic where he graduated from the Atlantic High School in 1940.

Shorty entered the U.S. Army February 10, 1941, serving 3 ½ years overseas. During that time he was a prisoner of war for 2 years and 3 months. He spent that time in three German prison camps; Lukenvald Stalag 3A, Mooseburg Stalag 7a and Furstenberg Stalag 3B.

After his discharge from the service in August 1945, Shorty returned to Atlantic and married Peggy Marie Williams on November 5, 1946, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The couple then made their home raising their children, Mick, Steven and Lori, in Atlantic.

He worked for 10 years as a brick layer. Shorty was then employed at Walnut Grove in Atlantic for 30 years, retiring in December of 1984.

Shorty was proud of his military service and was a member and former commander of VFW 3415 in 1946, Disabled American Veterans and ex POW-MIA Southwest Iowa Chapter.

He enjoyed fishing, especially the trips to Canada. The Smith Cottages in Lake Okoboji was a favorite fishing spot with his family for many years.

Shorty was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Parrott; his son, Mick Parrott; his parents, Horace and Vera Parrott; his brothers and sisters, Zoe Beltz, Ruby Milholland, Norene Jones, Lynn "Tuffy" Parrott, Denny Parrott, Mildred "Polly" Casey and Twila Mae Worthington.

He is survived by his children, Steven (Gordia) Parrott of Shell Knob, Missouri, and Lori (Joe) Skupa of Glenwood, Iowa; his grandchildren, Troy Parrott, Haley Parrott Kickland, Amanda Parrott Wilson, Amy Evans Katz, Tyler Skupa and Tara Skupa; 11 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Maxine Bruner of Atlantic and Shirley (Lloyd) Jorgensen of Audubon; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2012, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m, Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors or the Make A Wish Foundation.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.