Charles O. Parkinson

Charles O. Parkinson, 95, of Ravenna, Ohio, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026. He was born on June 25, 1930, in Bellaire, Ohio to the late E.W. and Clarissa (Strahl) Parkinson.

Chuck proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a hospital corpsman aboard the USS General A.E. Anderson. After the Navy he enrolled in Pharmacy School at Ohio Northern University. He met his wife Jan standing in line at freshman registration when she asked to borrow his newspaper. Jan always said if she’d had a nickel, they never would have met as she would have purchased her own paper. They married in 1955, graduated from college in 1957 and began working in Marion, Ohio before moving to Ravenna in 1961. Chuck became a partner in Thompson Drug, managing the Brimfield store until his retirement in 1995. A longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, he served as Treasurer for over twenty years. He played golf on the St. Paul League and continued to play into his early 90’s. Cards and games were a favorite pastime, and he was brutal at Monopoly.

Chuck loved to travel. He and Jan made lifelong friends through their trips with Elderhostel. Every summer he took his entire vacation at one time and traveled the US and Canada with the family and often friends, pulling their travel trailer with the family’s Buick LeSabre. His homemade chocolates were legendary. He was often asked to sell them but refused because then it would be a job instead of his gift to family, friends and associates. Being on the list for candy was an extra kind of special. His faith, family and friends served as the foundation of his life, and he will be greatly missed by the lives he touched.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife Janet, and his sister Jane Lingle. The family appreciates all the love and care given to him at Vista Veranda, where he moved after the loss of his wife in August of 2025.

He is survived by his children, Amy (John) Crawford of Garrettsville, OH, Charles II (Michelle) Parkinson of Shorter, AL, and Christopher (Cynthia) Parkinson of Anderson, SC; and grandchildren Christian Crawford and Caroline Parkinson.

Calling hours will be held Saturday April 25, 2026 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 170 N. Freedom St. Ravenna, Ohio 44266 followed by a service at 1 p.m. officiated by Pastor Dan Caruso. Interment with military honors will be at a later date in Park Cemetery in Garrettsville. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church in his name.