David Parsons

Funeral services for David Leon Parsons, 82, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 13, 2012 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence.  Burial will follow at Eudora Cemetery in Eudora, KS.  He died on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

David was born on April 13, 1930 in Vandalia, MO the third son of Ray and Lela Boulden Parsons.

He served in the United States Air Force as a signal man from 1951 to 1953, with most of that service in London, England.  Upon returning to the states, he married Merrill Knapp on December 25, 1955 in Warrenton, MO.  She preceded him in death on December 6, 1984.  They shared 29 years of marriage and raised four children, Maureen (Clete) Wiederholt, Baldwin City, KS, William Parsons, Salt Lake City, UT, Kathleen (Neil) Wright, Lawrence, KS, and Christine (Chris) Hamman, Wichita, KS.
David married Virginia Kauffman on February 15, 1987 and he became the loving stepfather to four daughters, Cindy (Steve) Hovik, Gold Canyon, AZ, Nancy (Dick) Powell, Casa Grande, AZ, Danette (Richard) Hayes, Buffalo Grove, IL, Carmela (John) Shepard, Higley, AZ.  Dave and Virginia shared 25 years of marriage and she survives of the home.  He was also survived by 15 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters, Helen (Gordon) Polston, Warrenton, MO and Edna Carver, Independence, MO.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Kenneth Parsons and Eugene Parsons; and a sister, Mary Ellen Parsons.

He was employed by Montgomery Ward as a salesperson for over 30 years. 

He was an avid gardener and apprenticed as a watchmaker in 1966 with his best friend, Paul Squires.  He enjoyed golfing and swimming.  He was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and with his wife, Virginia, started Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry in 1995.

The family will greet friends on Sunday from 4 – 5:30 p.m. at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. 

The family suggests memorials in his name to the Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
 

8 Condolences

  1. Kaitlin Hamman on August 8, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    I love you Grandpa! You will be greatly missed.



  2. Wendy Axlund on August 8, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    Dear Virginia,
    I knew David by taking care of him in his later years. He made an impact on me by being a kind, sweet, and loving family man; which the tribute to him above emphasizes. I am truly sorry for your loss.

    Blessings to you and your family.



  3. Makayla Cansler on August 8, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    May you finally rest in peace Grandpa. Love and miss you



  4. David and Susan Cansler on August 8, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    Grandpa Dave will remain in our hearts forever. He will be missed very much and we know he is now resting in peace. Grandma, we love and care about you – please know we are always here for you.



  5. John and Karen Voght on August 9, 2012 at 8:29 am

    Virginia, Our condolences to you and the family. Met Dave once or twice but remember him as a nice, friendly man.



  6. Jeanne Kraemer on August 9, 2012 at 9:06 am

    My deepest sympathies.



  7. CONNIE BISHOP on August 10, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    Dear Maureen and family,
    I was so sad to see Dave’s obit online.
    Seeing his picture brought back many funny and happy memories from our times on Powers. We’ll always have those memories.
    I pray that God grants you and the others comfort and peace with the memories of your dad.
    Love always, Connie



  8. John Wokurka on August 11, 2012 at 10:39 am

    David was always a very kind and thoughtfull person. I appreciated him telling me, the last time I saw him, things he remembered about my father (who died when I was 5 years old). I will miss him.



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