It is with great sadness that we announce the Line of Duty Death of St Paul Fire Captain CHRIS PARSONS who passed away on Thursday June 15th 2023 at Hennepin County Medical Center surrounded by family and loved ones.
St Paul Fire Chief Butch Inks and the Saint Paul Fire Department along with the family and friends of Fire Captain Chris Parsons will be paying their final respects and laying Captain Parsons to rest.
The fire department will participate in the Active Member MN Type I Line of Duty Death (LODD) service for Fire Captain Chris Parsons
Captain Parsons joined the department in 2000 and was promoted to Captain in 2007. Besides being a dedicated member of the Saint Paul Fire Department, he has also served as a Chair Officer for IAFF Local 21, President of the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters, and a board member of the MN Fire Service Foundation. Through his many years of service, Chris had an impact on many residents and visitors to the city of Saint Paul, along with his impactful work on legislation at the state capitol benefiting firefighters and first responders. Captain Parsons sustained a major medical event following shift, his passing will be recognized as Minnesota Type I Line of Duty Death. Chris is incredibly well known and respected, a good friend to many and will be missed by all.
Chris had a strong physical presence – a large stature, deep voice, and beaming smile. And he loved life. He was outside at every opportunity – especially for skiing, hiking, and running. He enjoyed playing music on his guitar and ukulele. Chris had a unique authenticity that enhanced his connection with friends, colleagues, and anyone who crossed his path.
Chris was a loving father, partner, son, brother, and friend. He will be greatly missed by his daughters Kaya and Annika, his partner Johanna, his parents Johnny and Kathy, his brother John (Kevin) and John’s wife Samantha, and many, many others.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Chris Parsons PFAS Research Memorial Fund continuing Chris’s fight against cancer causing chemicals such as PFAS and working towards supporting cardiac and behavioral health needs of Minnesota Firefighters.
MN TYPE I: LODD
Visitation:
Date: Wednesday, June 21st 2023; 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power Street Minneapolis, MN 55401
Uniform: Class A or B Requested
Mourning Bands: All Fire Department Personnel
Funeral Service:
Date: Wednesday, June 21st 2023; 1:00 pm
Location: Nicollet Island Pavilion 40 Power Street Minneapolis, MN 55401
Uniform: Class A or B Requested
Mourning Bands: All Fire Department Personnel
All Minnesota Firefighters are invited to support Captain Parsons family and the celebration of his life
Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power Street Minneapolis, MN 55401.
At the conclusion of the memorial service, uniformed members will form the Sea of Blue to show honors to Captain Parsons. A procession will follow Captain Parsons to his final resting place at Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408.
The family have requested that only designated personnel and close friends be at the grave site.
Fire Departments bringing apparatus please enter from the west on East Bound Hennepin Ave and Wilder Street.
Staging Officer will be at Wilder and Merriam Ave. Staging will then place your apparatus.
If attending in a non-fire department vehicle parking will be at Huntington Bank Stadium and shuttles will run every 15 minutes.