A new memorial marker at the intersection of SE 31st Street and SE 19th Avenue in Ocala honors the life of Jonathan Michael Parson, a young engineer who was tragically killed in a fatal accident in June.
The marker is located next to the E.L. Foster Walking Trail in southeast Ocala. It was recently installed to honor the memory of Parson, who was killed on June 7.
During that fatal accident, Parson’s motorcycle struck the passenger side of an SUV that turned in front of him while he was traveling westbound on SE 31st Street.
Parson was an accomplished student, graduating magna cum laude from Daytona State College with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He worked as an engineering intern locally and had completed part of his Professional Engineering Certification at the time of his death.
Earlier this month, a local gym held a fundraiser for Share The Love Ocala in honor of Parson. According to his mother, Patsy, Parson had a heart for ministry and especially sought to help children who had been abused, abandoned, or neglected. The fundraiser raised over $1,000 in honor of Parson.
In the weeks since his passing, Parson’s mother has shared several memories of her son, who was only 23 years old at the time of his death.
“We are so thankful that God gave us 23 amazing years with this incredible young man! And we rest in God’s promises,” reads a post from the mother made in June.
In a separate post in July, Patsy shared her experience reading her son’s autopsy report:
“As parents, we read our children’s report cards, progress reports, medical reports and sports reports. However, we never imagine that we would ever read our child’s autopsy report. As I read the report, I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 and that our current lives are temporary, but God has prepared an eternal and glorious home for those who call Him Abba Father. Although my journey as a mama is deeply missing Jonathan, verse 7 encourages me to trust in God’s promises. Paul reminds us that our primary goal is our eternal home, to live by faith and to seek to please God in all circumstances. Jonathan is in a place of eternal peace, where there is no more pain, suffering, or sorrow. He is with our Abba Father and I am comforted to know that Dan, Chris and I will be reunited with him in eternal glory.”
On Monday, Patsy shared a message thanking the city and county for the marker:
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Marion County and the City of Ocala for their participation in the Memorial Marker Program. A special thank you for the memorial marker dedicated to my son, Jonathan Parson, placed at SE 31st Street and 19th Avenue in Ocala.”
The marker is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s memorial marker program, which is designed to increase public awareness of highway safety.
The markers serve to remind motorists to drive safely by memorializing those who have died as a result of a vehicle-related crash, according to FDOT. The cost for the construction, installation, maintenance, and removal of the memorial markers is covered by FDOT.
The markers are allowed to remain in place for at least one year, according to FDOT. Requests for memorial markers can be made by immediate family members or by friends, with requests from friends requiring the approval of the deceased’s immediate family.
To donate to a cause beloved by Jonathan Michael Parson, visit Share the Love Ocala online.
