Stephen A. Parr

Stephen A. Parr, age 66 of Belle Fourche, died Tuesday April 26th, 2011 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 10:30am Monday May 2nd, 2011 at the Belle Fourche Health Care Center’s Atrium. Pastor Paul Howard will officiate. Arrangements are with Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Stephen Arthur Parr was born March 30, 1945 in Pasadena, California. He was the son of George and Janie (Whitaker) Parr. Stephen grew up in Sierra Madre CA and graduated from high school in Pasadena. Following his high school graduation he attended college at the Pasadena City College where he excelled in gymnastics. In 1964 he was the National Invitational Long Horse Champion. Following his graduation in 1965, he attended a college in Louisiana because of a gymnastics scholarship. Due to a serious gymnastics injury however, he was forced to quit his college career in the sport. In 1968, Stephen was married to Gayle Faccou, in California. Following their marriage he worked for many years at D and D Tool and Supply in the San Diego area. They later divorced. In 1998, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Schmidt in Hesperia, California. In 2007 Stephen and Kathy retired to Belle Fourche where they have lived since. For the past 3 years, Stephen has fought hard against Parkinson’s and the effects of a serious stroke. Throughout these years he has exhibited courage, determination, and character of a great man. His time residing at the Belle Fourche Health Care Center was full of great care and making many good friends. Stephen was a wonderful and special husband and he will be greatly missed by his family. Stephen is survived by his wife, Kathy of Belle Fourche; son, Stephen (Cindy) Parr of Tehachapi, CA; daughters, Wendy Crouch of Sierra Madre CA, Heather Schmidt of Belle Fourche, Kari Schmidt of Lancaster CA; 7 grandchildren; and brother, Pete (Gloria) Parr of Hesperia CA.