Parker W. Dobson Jr., 81, of Mars and Houston, Texas, died Monday.

Born in Worthville, Jefferson County, Nov. 22. 1922, he was the son of Parker W. and Laura Caylor Dobson.

He served on the Mars School Board from 1960 to 1972 and was president from 1968 through 1970. He also belonged to the Tri-County Intermediate School Board.

A 1941 graduate of Mars High School, he received a degree in aeronautical engineering from Parks College of St. Louis University in 1948. He retired from Gulf Oil Corp. after 33 years as a technical services engineer.

During World War II, he served in the 57th Bomb Wing, Group 310, Squadron 428, piloted B-25 bombers based in Corsica and participated in the liberation of Italy. He was a life member of the 57th Bomb Wing, Group 310, Squadron 428 Association. After his discharge from active duty, he was attached to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in Moon Township.

Mr. Dobson was a former trustee and chairman of the administrative board of the Mars United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Mars American Legion and a life member of the SAE International.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marion Norton Dobson; a daughter, Dianne Howard and her husband, Dennis, of Girard, Erie County; a son, Parker K. Dobson and his wife, Sharon, of Houston; grandchildren, Debra (William) Greenleaf and Drew, Darren and Laura Howard, all of Girard and Kelly and Lauren Dobson of Houston; and a great-grandchild, Ethan Greenleaf of Girard.

Also surviving are a sister, Bonnie Backderf and her husband, Robert, of The Lakes, Fla.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Lois Norton of Mars; sisters-in-law, Josephine LaTourette of Meadville and Roberta Selle of Mars; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Mary Ann Dobson; a brother, Leroy Dobson; and a stepbrother, William Selle.

DOBSON - Friends of Parker W. Dobson Jr., who died Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, will be received from noon to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at McDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Mars United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Mars Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made to Mars United Methodist Church, 525 Pittsburgh St., Mars, PA 16046; or Mars Area Public Library, 107 Grand Ave., P.O. Box 415. Mars. PA 16046.