Adalberto Parra

September 12, 1935 - April 20, 2025

Adalberto “Al” Parra, Jr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, April, 20th, 2025 at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of love, curiosity, and devotion to family.

Born the eldest of seven children in Brownsville, Texas, Al’s strong work ethic emerged early when he began delivering groceries for his father’s independent grocery store. Later, his father took a job with Pan American Airlines in Brownsville, and when the company ceased local operations, Al’s parents chose to relocate the family to Miami, Florida.

In Miami, Al began his professional journey, first with Hot Shops, delivering food to planes at Miami International Airport. In 1956, he joined Eastern Airlines, starting in the mailroom and transitioning into the accounting department. His career was briefly interrupted in 1958 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, proudly serving for two years, primarily stationed in Germany. Upon returning home, he resumed his position at Eastern Airlines as a production planner and later joined the International Machinists Union. Following Eastern Airlines’ closure in 1991 after an extended machinist strike, Al embarked on a successful ten-year career as a Cell Site Field Engineer with Cingular Wireless, now part of AT&T.

Throughout his life, Al was defined by his boundless curiosity and diverse passions. He embraced photography in his twenties and later discovered a lifelong enthusiasm for amateur ham radio while serving in the Army. Al became deeply involved in the ham radio community, even operating his own 2-meter cell site in Turnberry Isles, Hallandale, and serving as president of both the Eastern Airlines, and the Hollywood Amateur Radio Clubs.

In the late 1970s and early 80s, Al eagerly embraced the emerging computer technology. He shared this enthusiasm with his son, Eddie, spending countless hours exploring and mastering their first home computer, a Radio Shack TRS-80. His interest in technology never waned, and he remained actively engaged with advancements until his passing.

Above all else, Al was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Married for 52 years to Rosa Vela Parra, he considered his sons and grandchildren his greatest treasures and took immense pride in each of their accomplishments. His love and devotion to family remain his most enduring legacy.

Adalberto is survived by his beloved wife, Rosa; son, Eduardo “Eddie” Manuel (Barbara) of Redmond, WA; youngest sibling, Cesar Oscar (Evangeline) of San Antonio, TX; stepsister, Alicia Amalia Parra Reyes (Javier) of Georgetown, TX; seven cherished grandchildren—Jonathan Parra, Ashley Parra-Presson, Malia Ava Parra, Alanna Liv Parra, Mason Carter Parra, Tristan Devin Parra, and Blake Olivia Parra; two great-granddaughters, Rayne Parra and Alessia Presson; one great-grandson, Raziel Parra, an aunt, Minerva Cisneros Maldonado of Brownsville, Tx., and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was predeceased in death by his parents: Adalberto Parra, Sr., and Irene Cisneros Parra, 3 sons, Adalberto “Albert,” III, William Patrick, Carlos Antonio, his sisters, Lucia Parra-Owens, Irene Parra-Castetter, his brothers, Andres, Ernesto, and Ruben.

There will be a Requiem Mass celebrated at Nativity Catholic Church, 5220 Johnson Street, Hollywood, Fl. on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 10:30am. Following the Mass, there will be an inurnment at Fred Hunter’s Hollywood Memorial Gardens, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, Florida, Magnolia Section.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to The Aubrey O’Sullivan Foundation to help fund research to cure Reducing Body Myopathy, a rare, rapidly progressive disease. Aubrey O’Sullivan, age 6, an extended member of our family, has battled RBM

for 4 years and needs a cure. The foundation is a federally recognized 501 (c)3 tax deductible public charity. EIN:87-3384138. 

https://curerbm.org/donate

Or send a check to:

Cure RBM The Aubrey O'Sullivan Foundation 

P.O. Box 25023

Scott AFB IL 62225