Siblings were mourning at dad's funeral when Burger King workers showed up with a chair—the reason touched them deeply

It’s magical how one’s presence can unexpectedly leave an indelible mark. Sometimes, you don’t have to do much; even spending time or just being around makes a difference. Late 91-year-old Jerry Parkin was making this difference as a loyal customer at Burger King, North Branch, Minnesota, per WJHG 7. When his children, Jenny Olson and Leo Parkin, were mourning the loss of their dad, they were surprised to see the staff and customers from the outlet arrive to pay their respects. What was more unusual was that they brought a chair with them and when the siblings learned why, they were moved. 

“Someone came into the kitchen at church and said, ‘The whole crew of Burger King is here and they brought a chair,’” Olson recalled. She was stunned and wondered what the reason might be. The staff showed up in their uniforms with a couple of customers to pay respects to Parkin at his funeral. They revealed he was a loyal customer and would show up for coffee every morning. Along with his beverage, he also had a spark to offer to his friends and the staff who he encountered every day. Monica Kuball, one of the employees at Burger King, noted, “He would walk in and we would have his order ready for him.” 

“We spend more time with these guys than sometimes even our own families,” another employee mentioned, per KARE 11. The employees and customers were so heartbroken by the loss and showed up to comfort and support the family and show how much Parkin meant to them. Speaking of the chair they brought with them, another employee, Ashley Fundingsland, pointed out, “That was his seat. He always sat there every morning, so we had to bring his chair.” Kevin Bennett, one of the customers who shared the morning with the deceased at Burger King, was the mind behind the gesture. He titled the seat as one of “honor.” The chair was a regular one but contained all the memories that Parkin made in years.

To make it more personal, Bennett’s wife used a wood burner to engrave Parkin’s name and his birth and death dates. Tom DeHaven, general manager at the branch, noted, “I’ve never had anybody want to memorialize a chair in the dining room for somebody.” However, for someone as special as Parkin, DeHaven decided to speak to his boss, who permitted the tribute. The 91-year-old was deeply “loved” and left quite an impact on the staff. Their memories go years back and one of the fondest ones is a celebration of Parkin’s 90th birthday, affectionately planned by the workers at Burger King.

The man deserved the tribute as his love for the place was incomprehensible. He had a sentiment attached that went beyond food. Even in his last days, he ensured he got a meal from the outlet to his bed at home. “I couldn’t believe it. He said he wanted chicken nuggets, a cookie and a shake,” his son, Leo Parkin, said. The Burger King meal was reportedly his last. The chair sits in the outlet's dining room in memory of a beloved customer and friend. Olson visited the restaurant and had the privilege of sitting in the very same chair her late father made memories. “I feel it here and I feel it in my heart, too. Quite an honor to have,” she said as she emotionally felt through the engravings of her father’s name.