Jarold W. Head

Jarold W. "Jed" Head, 58, of rural Parsons, passed away at 9:20 a.m., Thursday, April 29, 2021, at Labette Health.

He was born on December 1, 1962, to James Bruce and Nancy Jean (Johnson) Head in Parsons. As a young boy, he grew up in rural Parsons, attending Service Valley Elementary. In 1981, Jed graduated from Labette County High School.

Following high school, he worked at the feed lot. For 35 years, Jed worked at Ruskins Manufacturing, starting as a welder and later promoted to lead man.

Jed was a volunteer for the Neosho Township Fire Department, including being a training officer. He was certified in CPR, First Aid, as a First Responder and an EMT. He was also active in the Elks Club, serving as the chairman of the Drug Awareness program on the local, national and ten years at the state level.

Helping others was very important to Jed. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family and he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He also enjoyed the outdoors, working cattle and listening to country music.

On November 8, 1980, Jed and Maria Margarita Martinez were united in marriage in Parsons. She survives of the home.

Survivors include:

His wife – Maria, of the home

One son – James W. Head (Larissa), currently stationed in South Korea

Two daughters – Amanda Head of Parsons, Kansas

Elizabeth Head (Adam Brown) of Fairgrove, Missouri

Eight grandchildren – Reveille, Amelia, Logan, Aidan, Victoria, Eric, Nicky, and Scarlette

One brother – James H. Thornton of Denison, Texas

One sister – Janis James (Virgil) of Parsons, Kansas

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Larry D. Head; and one sister, Debra Head.

The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons. Burial will follow at East Bethany Cemetery in rural Parsons. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8:00 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home. The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home Facebook page. For all events, social distancing guidelines will be followed, including the requirement of face masks.

Memorials are suggested to Labette Community College Foundation for the Jed Head Fire Education Scholarship fund ( https://labettecommfndn.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay ). These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.