“What a great day to be down here in Southeast Missouri,” Governor Mike Parson said at the Libla Family Sports Complex at Three Rivers College on Tuesday, where he signed copies of his new biography, “No Turnin’ Back.”
“Nobody ever believes you’ll have a book written about you,” Parson remarked.
He praised the thoroughness of first-time author Dr. Jim Jones.
“There’s a different side to Mike Parson than you know,” he explained.
Growing up in a poor sharecropper family in Wheatland, Missouri, Parson said his journey has been unconventional but foundational to who he is today. From run-ins with the law as a teen to serving in the Army, he encouraged those present to stick to principles and hard work through the unpredictability of life.
When facing tough decisions, Parson said, “You will go back to the foundation where it all started.”
He recounted the story of starting a string of gas stations around his hometown several years after serving in the Army and marrying his wife.
Parson said the older residents like to joke, “The governor pumped my gas.”
Serving in various elected offices, he became lieutenant governor in 2017. Upon then-Governor Eric Greitens’ resignation in 2018, Parson got the call he was to assume the office while he was sorting cattle on his farm.
He noted governors typically have several months to prepare a plan and gather staff. In his case, he had 48 hours.
Parson recalled there were only a few personnel left in the office when he got to Jefferson City where normally there would be a flurry of activity.
“I’m so grateful,” he thanked everyone who dropped jobs and uprooted their lives to come work on his staff at the last minute.
Parson said he is proud of his humble background and stated, “You don’t have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to be successful.”
According to a press release from the governor’s office, he will not receive any personal financial benefit from sales. The proceeds from his book will go toward the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation which supports the Jobs for America’s Graduates program and other children-focused causes.
First Lady Teresa Parson was also in attendance, along with Poplar Bluff community leaders and members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Parson confirmed 6,000-7,000 books have been sold so far. The book is available at mikeparson.com.