On May 24, 2020 we said goodbye to the kindest man I've ever known. My whole life I've heard the refrain "Your Dad is the nicest man.” And it was true. He only wanted the best for everyone he came into contact with. He was quiet and full of humility; never judgmental and always accepting, even to those whose views opposed his own. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, including at himself.

Though his list of accomplishments is extensive, he is best known for his willingness to lend a hand to whomever needed it and was embarrassed by any kind of thanks or recognition. Despite a successful career, there was never a doubt in my mind that my brother and I, and our families, along with my mom were his first priority. When we were young, he was fully engaged in every aspect of our lives and always took a genuine interest in our schooling, our activities, our friends and their families. As adults, he was always there to lend a hand whether it be taking our cars to get serviced, offering a ride to the airport, or ready with support and encouraging words during times of struggle.

His most recent starring role was PopPop. At 4 years old, Jack made the comment "PopPop always says Yeah", and it was true. He rarely missed the endless string of dance and piano recitals, theater performances, baseball and basketball games, award ceremonies, and school promotions and events. If he did, it was because he had already committed to helping someone with something. He was the kind of grandfather who soothed fussy babies, changed diapers, played in the the pool, looked for shells and made paper boats to sail down the stream with the kids, played board games, had the kids over for sleepovers, took them on outings to museums and shows, stepped in to babysit or give rides, and was always interested in what they had to share with him. Our kids love for their PopPop and the memories they made with him will be cherished forever.

Less important to my Dad, but absolutely worth highlighting were his many life accomplishments: he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan on an ROTC scholarship, did two tours in Vietnam as an A4 Fighter Pilot on the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier, had a successful career as an Eastern Airlines pilot and then as an entrepreneur in the water conservation business, and was a loving and supportive companion to my mom in their 42 years of marriage and then to Sue Stinson during their recent 5 year courtship. I also only recently discovered when I found his service records from the Navy that he was the President of his high school, an Eagle Scout, MVP of the football team, received the Student Scholar Athlete award, and he received the Distinguished Flying Award and was nominated for the Silver Star Award (the Navy's 3rd highest award) for missions he flew during his tours in Vietnam which saved the lives of other servicemen. I don't think even my mom knew about these distinctions. Clearly he was a beautiful example of humility and kindness.

He was a passionate environmentalist, lover of science, astronomy and technology, avid reader, and enthusiastic handball, then pickle ball player and a friend to many. But most of all, he gave his heart and his life to his family. Not just my mom, brother and me and our families, but his brothers and sister and their spouses, and his many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. There was not a selfish bone in his body.

My dad was preceded in death by his parents George and Lucy Parsons, and his wife Becky Parsons. He is survived by his children, myself, Amy Jeffries, and my brother, Darren Parsons, our spouses, Bill Jeffries and Rehana Parsons, his four grandchildren, Savannah, Becca, and Jack Jeffries and Noor Parsons, his siblings Stewart and Philip Parsons and Susie Robillard and their spouses, Becky Parsons, Jane Daniel, and Paul Robillard and many, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces, and great nephews and his special friend Sue Stinson.

We will all miss him dearly but we are grateful that he has has been released from the loss of independence and suffering he has experienced over the past 2+ years from rapidly progressing Parkinson's disease/Multiple Symptom Atrophy. But most of all, I'm am grateful that I had the amazing fortune to be his daughter. Goodbye Dad. Thank you and we’ll miss you. Give mom a hug for me. I love you.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sierra Club, as my dad was a longtime supporter of their mission, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Darren and I can be reached at amyjeffries0611@gmail.com and dparsonsva@gmail.com.