I have to take a moment to post about the passing away of Rex Parsons, former Executive Director of the National Agri-Marketing Association. The full information as posted by the NAMA office is included below (click on “more”). I would dare say that any of us who were members during the Rex era have our stories to tell. I will never forget the first time I met Rex. It was at an Orlando NAMA convention. At the time Gary Cooper, Southeast AgNet and myself were registered as members who worked for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Just prior to attending the convention our employment at FFBF was terminated (which is another story for another time). Since the NAMA membership is corporate and not individual Rex wouldn’t give us our name badges and said we’d have to leave unless we paid a full non-member registration. Anyway, Gary and I left and let’s just say my Rex relationship got off to a rocky start.
Several years later after Gary and I helped start the Florida NAMA chapter and I had served as chapter president for 2 years I had the honor to receive one of Rex’s annual leadership awards which he would give to someone he thought had done a good job for the organization in a leadership position. I was pretty proud of that award, especially considering how my relationship with Rex started out.
Rex, you were one of a kind and I’m sure I’m not the only one who is sad to hear of your passing. I’m sure you’re in a better place now though. We will keep you, Violet and all your family in our prayers.
Rex Parsons, 82, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2007. Rex was born May 23, 1924 in Akron, Kansas. He served in the Army Air Force during WWII. Following the war he received BA and MA degrees in Journalism from Kansas State University. He had a distinguished career as a writer, editor, publisher and advertising executive in the agriculture industry.
Rex was the Executive Director of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) for 13 years before retiring in 1991. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Violet M. Parsons, his sons David and Martin, five grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. (Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com.)
Arrangements: Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory,8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS (913) 438-6444.
Memorial services will be 7:00 P.M. Thursday, May 10 at Valley View United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Kansas City Hospice or Valley View United Methodist church.