Others Magazine

Colonel Keith Parkinson was promoted to glory on Wednesday morning 19 January 2022, and is now safely in the arms of his Lord after faithfully serving 64 years of officership.

Keith was born on 20 July 1931 in Richmond, Victoria. He entered Officer Training College on 19 March 1957 in the Faithful session. Following his commissioning on 9 January 1958, he was appointed a corps officer to the Clermont Corps (Qld).

Keith married Joycelyn May Bailey at West End Corps in 1956, and they were blessed with three children – Janette (deceased), Howard, and Meredith.

Keith and Joy served as corps officers through the former Australia Eastern Territory at Clermont, Zillmere, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Rockhampton, Bankstown, Campsie, and Hurstville. Keith then served as Assistant Public Relations Secretary, Divisional Commander of West NSW Division and Newcastle Central NSW Division, Training Principal, Secretary for Program and finally as Chief Secretary.

In retirement, Keith and Joy lived between Monterey (Sydney) and Bermagui (South Coast). In Sydney, they attended Hurstville Corps, where Keith loved playing euphonium in the band, and they were very active in their local church community in Bermagui.

In South Australia, Keith and Joy attended Ingle Farm Corps, where they made many friends, loved the fellowship, and played an active part in musical sections. Keith and Joy travelled Australia extensively; they loved the Australian outback and small country towns. Joy was promoted to glory on 7 July 2016.

Since then, Keith continued to soldier at Hurstville Corps – and played his euphonium till his last days. Keith played in the Veterans Band and appreciated the band's fellowship and friendship.

Our love and prayers, along with our heartfelt sympathy, cover Meredith and Rodney, Howard and Kim, and their families.

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful ... Enter into the joy of your master”
(Matthew 25:23).