Larry Parsons

Obituary
 

How do you write about a writer’s life? Whenever anything in our family needed to be written, it was Larry’s job to find the right words. We find ourselves at a loss now at the end of Larry’s earthly life in what to share. We are sad, but have hope. With the assurance that Larry gave his life to Jesus almost 20 years ago, we trust that he is at home with His Savior and we will attempt to share a bit of his earthly life here.

James “Larry” Parsons was born on August 27, 1941 to the late Ted and Margie Hamilton Parsons in East McDowell, Kentucky. He was preceded by one brother, Gary Parsons. He is survived by a brother, Jack (Connie) Parsons and a sister, Donna (Denzil) Hall.

Larry married the love of his life, Ida Rose Jones on July 22, 1967. They have one daughter, Jenny. He is survived by his wife, Ida, and daughter, Jenny (David) Borden. He also is survived by his six grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Keely (Tor) Peterson, Maksim Borden, Alona Borden, Maxwell (Kay) Borden, Natasha Borden, and Isabelle Borden. His great-grandson, Kallum Peterson, brought him many smiles this past year. In addition to these he is survived by his only aunt, Vera Parsons Shelton, several brothers and sisters-in law as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved dearly.

Larry held many jobs over the years most recently a right-of-way agent for East Kentucky Power in Winchester, KY. However at heart, he was always a dreamer. He was happiest fishing an afternoon away, working crossword puzzles, writing poetry, and enjoying music, especially live in New Orleans. Ida often referred to him in recent years as “our music man”. He was marching band leader for his McDowell high school. He enlisted in the Army and played trombone in the Army band traveling to various sites, even serving for a time in Germany. He wrote songs, poetry, and short stories regularly, some comical, some spiritual, and some somber. He loved his family and his Eastern KY roots and tried to commemorate both in his writings.

Though dementia took much of the Larry we knew in these past years, we still saw his tender heart and kind smile. We will miss him, but are thankful he is suffering no longer.

Funeral service will be conducted Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Hall Funeral Home Chapel with Curtie Hall officiating.  Burial will follow in the Whitt Martin Cemetery, Dema, KY, visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of service Sunday at the funeral home, under direction of the Hall Funeral Home, Martin, Kentucky.

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