Two sisters, ages 2 and 4, were rescued from a burning car in Kennett, Mo., 37 years ago, but they never had an opportunity to meet "our hero" until this summer. Both sisters now live in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Patty Robertson and Teresa Myers are very thankful they were able to find Gary Parr and let him know how much his heroic actions were appreciated.
"He risked his life to save us. I needed to find him and thank him," Robertson said.
The women did not know where Parr lived or even if he was still alive because their family "did not talk about what happened on April 22, 1974."
"I always wondered what happened to them," said Parr, who is 70 now.
In April, Robertson e-mailed a Gary Parr with this message: "I'm trying to locate a Gary Parr who lived in Kennett, Mo., in 1974. Would this be you?"
Parr replied, "There were two Gary Parrs in Kennett in 1974. Why do you ask?"
"There was a car on fire in a parking lot of a grocery store," Robertson responded. "Gary Parr rescued the children trapped inside. I am one of those kids (now 40-years-old), and I would love an opportunity to personally thank him."
Later that Saturday, Parr sent the following e-mail to Robertson: "Yes, I am the same Gary Parr. I have lived in Memphis for the last 30 years. I still remember that day like it was yesterday and I am glad you are doing well."
The sisters and Parr have enjoyed their visits during two meetings in Poplar Bluff and have exchanged e-mails frequently.
"It was overwhelming to meet him because of everything he had done for us," Myers said. "We are very thankful he got us out of the car when so many others just watched. God put him there for us."
Parr recalled what he observed and what to he did:
"I just happened to be going by when I saw three kids in the left rear window of a burning car. It was just instinct. I jumped out, knocked out the window and started grabbing kids. I pulled out a 4-year-old boy. Then I grabbed Patty and her little sister. Their clothes were ablaze. I put out the flames with my hands."
Robertson was hospitalized six months and her sister was hospitalized nine months. Parr's hair and eyebrows were singed and he had blisters on his hands, but he did not require medical treatment.
There were five children in the car while a grandmother and aunt were in the store. The other three were cousins. One jumped out, but a baby in the front seat died. Playing with matches started the fire.
Robertson explained how the incident affected her and her family and why she decided to reach out to Parr.
"I have no memories of that day or any of the time that I spent in the hospital," Robertson told Parr."I'm sure it was a painful experience for my parents to have to watch their daughters go through what we did, not to mention the separation within the family that occurred because we were left unsupervised that day. Their emotional scars were as painful as our burn scars. Therefore, it just wasn't something we talked about very often. It wasn't until recently I asked if they knew your name."
Robertson, a member of Fellowship General Baptist Church, told Parr how Pastor Byron Beck challenged members to "show God's love to people we know and love as well as people we don't."
"What you did for my sister and I is the most ultimate Good Samaritan story, and it has been weighing on my heart to find you," Robertson said. "I would enjoy knowing more about you and hope to keep in touch."
After exchanging information about their families and their work as educators, the sisters and Parr decided to meet.
Parr was a teacher in Kennett from 1963 to 1972. He also coached football, track and baseball. In 1972, his family built a new grocery store so he went back into the grocery business. He operated his own business in Memphis, Tenn., and is now semi-retired.
While in the third grade, Robertson and her family moved from Kennett to Poplar Bluff. She graduated from Central Missouri State University and has a master's degree and a specialist's degree in school administration from Southeast Missouri State University. She was a teacher for nine years and a principal for nine years before becoming an associate superintendent in the Poplar Bluff School District.
Robertson also exchanged e-mails with Parr's daughter, Susan Pinkerton, who is a first grade teacher in Caruthersville, Mo.
"As soon as my dad got your message, he called me. He was very overwhelmed. He still remembers every moment of that day and I remember that day when he came home," Pinkerton said. "I'm so glad you reached out to dad. I could tell when he was telling me your story over the phone that he was very proud of your accomplishments."
"I think the fact we are all educators is pretty cool," Robertson told Pinkerton.
Parr was glad to learn about the two women and their families. Robertson and her husband, Chuck, who is a physical therapist assistant at Amedisys Inc., have been married 15 years and have three children, Lauren, 7, and 6-year-old twins Lanie and Lucas.
Myers and her husband, John, who is retired from the military, are employed at the John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Medical Center. He is an information security officer and she is a medical support assistant. They have three children, Emily, 14, Cassie, 12, and John, 10.
Both Parr and Robertson were surprised to find out they have mutual friends in Poplar Bluff.
"What a small world!," Robertson told Parr after learning he was friends with Tom Hoover, who was her high school principal. Her husband and Hoover recently traveled together on a golf trip.
"If I would have had any idea they lived in Poplar Bluff, I would have found them," Parr said.
His nephew, Dr. Zackwrie Parr, is a podatrist in Poplar Bluff. Don Shelton and Sam Giambelluca are among his Poplar Bluff friends.
Parr is happy to know the girls "are productive citizens and have wonderful families."
Robertson and Myers told Parr he now has "six more grandchildren."
"I was really surprised they would reach out and find me," Parr said. "My wife was tickled to meet them. It was a happy reunion. We are looking forward to them visiting in Memphis."