Heartwarming: See how Burger King employees honored a cherished regular with an unforgettable tribute
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In the quiet town of North Branch, a touching story unfolded that reminds us all of the meaningful connections that can blossom in the most unexpected places.
It’s a story that brings to light the beauty of kindness and the impact of community, transforming a local Burger King into the backdrop of a heartfelt tribute to one of their own—a regular customer named Jerry Parkin.
Jerry wasn’t just any customer. He was a familiar face whose presence had become an integral part of the Burger King experience.
Every morning, Jerry would gather with his friends for a cup of coffee, his friendly smile and warm conversations offering comfort to those around him.
To the staff at this Burger King, Jerry was more than a customer—he was family.
When Jerry passed away, the staff decided to honor him in a way that was both deeply personal and profoundly meaningful.
In an act of love, they attended Jerry’s funeral in their uniforms, carrying with them a piece of the restaurant that had become synonymous with Jerry’s daily visits—his favorite chair.
But this wasn’t just any chair.
It was the seat where Jerry sat every morning, the one that had come to symbolize his routine.
To make the tribute even more special, the chair was engraved with Jerry’s name, his birth and death dates, and a folded American flag to honor his military service.
The idea for this moving tribute came from Kevin Bennett, a close friend who often shared coffee with Jerry.
Kevin’s wife used a wood burner to engrave the chair, making sure Jerry’s memory—and that of another regular who had passed—would live on in a special way.
The restaurant’s general manager, Tom DeHaven, received permission to add the engraving, and now the chair remains in the dining area as a “seat of honor.”
Also read: Is the new Steakhouse Whopper from Burger King worth trying? Here’s why it has everyone talking!
The connection between Jerry and the Burger King staff was evident in the stories shared by his children, Jenny Olson and Leo Parkin.
Jenny fondly recalled how much Jerry “loved the workers,” while Leo added with a smile that their father was “such a flirt.”
The bond was further celebrated when the staff hosted a birthday party for Jerry’s 90th birthday, honoring the special place he had in their hearts.
Also read: Burger King launches wallet-friendly $5 duos and $7 trios combos
In his final days, Jerry requested one last meal from Burger King—chicken nuggets, a cookie, and a shake—showing the comfort he found in the simple joys of his routine.
This meal, lovingly brought by his brother, became Jerry’s final meal and a symbol of the deep connection he had with the restaurant and its people.
Months after Jerry’s funeral, Jenny returned to the restaurant to sit in her father’s chair.
The emotions she experienced were powerful—a mix of sadness and pride—as she reflected on the beautiful tribute her father had received. “I feel it here, and I feel it in my heart, too,” she said, her voice full of gratitude.
Also read: Burger King's iconic sandwiches are returning soon—find out when!
This story is a poignant reminder that community and connection can be found in the most ordinary places.
For many of our readers at The GrayVine, the story of Jerry resonates deeply. It’s about the value of daily rituals and the meaningful relationships that can form from them.
Jerry’s story isn’t just about a man and his favorite fast-food restaurant—it’s about the kindness that exists in everyday life and the profound impact one person can have on an entire community.
Read next: The chilling truth behind a horror classic—what was real on set?
We’d love to hear from you. Have you ever witnessed a similar act of tribute in your community? Do you have a local spot where the staff has become like family? Join the conversation and share how everyday places have touched your life in extraordinary ways.
It’s a story that brings to light the beauty of kindness and the impact of community, transforming a local Burger King into the backdrop of a heartfelt tribute to one of their own—a regular customer named Jerry Parkin.
Jerry wasn’t just any customer. He was a familiar face whose presence had become an integral part of the Burger King experience.
Every morning, Jerry would gather with his friends for a cup of coffee, his friendly smile and warm conversations offering comfort to those around him.
To the staff at this Burger King, Jerry was more than a customer—he was family.
When Jerry passed away, the staff decided to honor him in a way that was both deeply personal and profoundly meaningful.
Jerry, a beloved regular at Burger King, made every morning special with his warm smile and friendly banter, becoming a cherished part of the restaurant's family. Image Source: YouTube / Kale11.
In an act of love, they attended Jerry’s funeral in their uniforms, carrying with them a piece of the restaurant that had become synonymous with Jerry’s daily visits—his favorite chair.
But this wasn’t just any chair.
It was the seat where Jerry sat every morning, the one that had come to symbolize his routine.
To make the tribute even more special, the chair was engraved with Jerry’s name, his birth and death dates, and a folded American flag to honor his military service.
The idea for this moving tribute came from Kevin Bennett, a close friend who often shared coffee with Jerry.
Kevin’s wife used a wood burner to engrave the chair, making sure Jerry’s memory—and that of another regular who had passed—would live on in a special way.
The restaurant’s general manager, Tom DeHaven, received permission to add the engraving, and now the chair remains in the dining area as a “seat of honor.”
Also read: Is the new Steakhouse Whopper from Burger King worth trying? Here’s why it has everyone talking!
The connection between Jerry and the Burger King staff was evident in the stories shared by his children, Jenny Olson and Leo Parkin.
Jenny fondly recalled how much Jerry “loved the workers,” while Leo added with a smile that their father was “such a flirt.”
The bond was further celebrated when the staff hosted a birthday party for Jerry’s 90th birthday, honoring the special place he had in their hearts.
Jerry's favorite chair, now a lasting tribute, remains in the Burger King dining area as a "seat of honor," forever symbolizing the connection he shared with the staff and community. Image Source: YouTube / Kale11.
Also read: Burger King launches wallet-friendly $5 duos and $7 trios combos
In his final days, Jerry requested one last meal from Burger King—chicken nuggets, a cookie, and a shake—showing the comfort he found in the simple joys of his routine.
This meal, lovingly brought by his brother, became Jerry’s final meal and a symbol of the deep connection he had with the restaurant and its people.
Months after Jerry’s funeral, Jenny returned to the restaurant to sit in her father’s chair.
The emotions she experienced were powerful—a mix of sadness and pride—as she reflected on the beautiful tribute her father had received. “I feel it here, and I feel it in my heart, too,” she said, her voice full of gratitude.
Also read: Burger King's iconic sandwiches are returning soon—find out when!
This story is a poignant reminder that community and connection can be found in the most ordinary places.
For many of our readers at The GrayVine, the story of Jerry resonates deeply. It’s about the value of daily rituals and the meaningful relationships that can form from them.
Jerry’s story isn’t just about a man and his favorite fast-food restaurant—it’s about the kindness that exists in everyday life and the profound impact one person can have on an entire community.
Read next: The chilling truth behind a horror classic—what was real on set?
We’d love to hear from you. Have you ever witnessed a similar act of tribute in your community? Do you have a local spot where the staff has become like family? Join the conversation and share how everyday places have touched your life in extraordinary ways.
