Parsley

Harold Lee Parsley Jr., 84, a Rockdale entrepreneur, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2022, at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple.

Services for Harold were held at 10 a.m. Mon 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Pastor Barry Methvin officiating and Miller Bassler giving the eulogy. Burial followed at I.O.O.F. Cemetery next to his wife and partner, Martha.

Visitation was from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at the funeral home.

Harold was born June 21, 1937, in Waldron, Arkansas to Mary Helene (Monroe) and Harold Lee Parsley Sr.

He was a 1955 graduate of Paul Pewitt High School in Naples, Texas, and while there he participated in the one act play and won state two years in a row.

Mr. Parsley graduated from Southwestern College in Georgetown in 1959 with a degree in liberal arts speech/drama.

On Feb. 9, 1963, he married the love of his life, Martha Kay Breazeale, in Ore City. They ended up between Galveston and Houston working in real estate for 9-11 months, then on to Dangerfield. Leaving there, they lived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for a couple of years, where he worked for a newspaper.

The Parsleys came to Rockdale in 1968, where they purchased the Reel Drive Inn Movie Theater and later the Dixie Theater from 1968 to 1979. During this time, he also taught at Rockdale I.S.D. from 1969 to 1976.

They owned car washes in Rockdale, Caldwell, Taylor, Hearne, Rosebud, Bryan and College Station from 1970 to 1988.

They opened Parsley’s Pullet Parlor in Rockdale, where it became a staple in the community for 19 years. He expanded Parsley’s so that he had more room to experiment with the much loved and asked for “Pepper Puppies” in 1982. Parsleys was also found in Giddings and Bryan.

Then came Texas Fajita in 1983, where his wife, Martha was there to visit and take food orders.

Chicken Express was later opened in 2004 in Rockdale.

Harold was a man of many names and a multitude of talents…aka…Dad, D (Granddaddy), Pepper, Harry, Harold Lee, Mr. Parsley and Mr. P. He loved being a husband, dad, D, Great D, and a friend.

He was extremely proud and elated with the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Harold was extremely intelligent, witty, loving, kind, always had a smile for anyone, and treated everyone equally, no matter who or what.

He affectionately took care of his wife, Martha as she fought chronic progressive multiple sclerosis for 31 years. They were married for 49 years before she passed and they exemplified true love.

He was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Martha Kay Parsley on June 18, 2012, and his parents, Harold Lee Parsley Sr. and Mary Helen Parsley.

Survivors are his daughter, Kathryne Roddam and husband Ward, and son, Lee Parsley, all of Rockdale; a brother, Billy Mac Parsley and wife Michelle of Conway, Arkansas; a sister, Dee Ann Cook of Plano; his six grandchildren, Katie Koeneke and husband Daniel, Kassie Vorn Kahl and husband Corey, Kourtney Rathke and husband Chase, Jake Parsley, Jaycee Skubal and husband Cody, and Luke Parsley; his four great-grandchildren, Caroline Kay Koeneke, Isabel Grace Koeneke, Ellie Kate Vorn Kahl and Jett David Vorn Kahl; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Harold was the epitome of an entrepreneur, a legend who was admired by many, and an icon for the community of Rockdale.

He did it his way.

Pallbearers were Lin Perry, Jacob Parsley, Britt Schneer, Duane Gerthe, Paul Johnson, JD Newlin, Ernie Cates and Ron McCoy.

Honorary pallbearers were Nick Gabriel, Bob Burnett, George Brabham, James Early, Bill Cooke, Carroll Glaser and Roger Whitmore.

Memorials may be made to the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department, 301 N. Wilcox St., Rockdale, TX 76567.

Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer 1417, Rockdale, TX 76567, 512-446-5454.