Burger King employees surprised a loyal customer’s family after showing up to a 91-year-old’s funeral in uniform.
Workers at the North Branch, Minnesota Burger King made a heartwarming gesture by attending the funeral of one of their beloved regulars, Jerry Parkin, dressed in their full uniforms. Their appearance left his family both surprised and deeply touched.
“Someone came into the kitchen at church and said, ‘The whole crew from Burger King is here,’” Jerry’s daughter recounted to KARE 11. “And they brought a chair. I said, ‘What?’”
The chair they brought wasn’t just any chair – it was Jerry’s usual seat at the restaurant, engraved with his name and the dates of his birth and death.
Every morning, he would sit in that chair while enjoying his coffee. “We thought we’d have a place for him to sit,” one worker explained, showing a photo of the chair they brought to the service.
The chair also featured a Burger King crown and an American flag in honor of Jerry’s military service. “It was just… something else,” said Jerry’s son, clearly moved by the thoughtful tribute.
After the funeral, the chair was returned to the Burger King, where it now stands as a lasting memorial to Jerry and the mark he left on the staff and patrons.
The touching story resonated with many online. One commenter under KARE 11’s video wrote, “It’s the kindest, most thoughtful thing to do to show love and appreciation for someone that left an impact.”
Another added, “I absolutely love this! Nicely done, BK North Branch! Such a wonderful man.” A third shared, “The smallest acts of kindness and compassion can have a profound impact.”
In other Burger King news, the fast food giant is hiring a ‘Whopperologist’ to ensure its iconic burger stands out among the rest and is worthy of its crown.