Donald Ray Parsons Jr.

Don was born in January of 1951. He is preceded in death by his parents; Donald Ray and Phyliss Jean Parsons, his brother Randal Wayne Parsons, and brother-in-law Robert Grose.

Don grew up in Marmet, West Virginia, Don or ‘Duck’ (as he was known to those closest to him) was a scrapper of sorts. By his own account, he told a true story about how he and his brothers were at a sandlot playing ball, and the opposing "team", as it were, started to pick a fight with Don and his brothers. As the story goes, his brothers ran to get help, leaving Don at the sandlot, however, by the time they returned, there lied the unconscious opposition at Don’s feet.

Don met Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Ray at Marmet Jr. High School and they went on to be high school sweethearts. Surviving him, Don and his beloved Bobbie were married for over 50 years.

Soon after high school, Don left Marmet, to study art at West Virginia University in Morgantown. He was a budding artist, in fact, he gained respect and praise from his instructors for his extreme talent. Don went on to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of South Florida, in Tampa.

Don and Bobbie moved to Brandon, Florida in 1973, to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Don was a football enthusiast, and luckily the city he moved to had franchised the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. From then on, he showed unwavering loyalty to the ‘Bucs’, win or lose. Don’s loyalty went beyond football, as he absolutely loved dogs. In most recent years, he has taken care of and cherished his most beloved basset hound, Abbey Brooke.

Don and Bobbie welcomed a son, in the spring of 1981, naming him, Cory Ray Parsons. Passing on his love for football, Don made sure to make it to every one of Cory’s football practices, as well as coaching the Brandon Bears youth football team, for a period of years. Don was also a former Golden Gloves boxer, and enrolled Cory into martial arts at a very young age. He never missed one of his son's classes, driving him to practice every day for the better part of 14 years. He would continue to be in his son's corner from that point moving forward, taking on any obstacle that life may throw at the two of them. Don was an extremely proud father, mentor to many young people, often giving the tough love that many of them lacked in his eyes. Even still, Don provided a shoulder to cry on, all the while saying “suck it up”.

Don loved the Thanksgiving hunting season in West Virginia, with all the brothers, sons and in laws. He loved to bass fish in his flats boat and enjoyed the occasional golf game. He loved family gatherings in West Virginia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. His quick wit and sense of humor (he called it humasensor) kept us all entertained for hours at a time.

Don's career as a Safety Manager spanned more than 40 years working at IMC New Wales, Johnson Controls, Kellogg’s and FEMA.

Don is survived by His beloved wife of 50 years, Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Vaden Parsons, His loving son Cory Ray Parsons and wife Tiffany, and his Beloved basset hound, Abbey Brooke.

Sisters Donna Velie (Tim) and daughter Kim; Annabelle Grose, and sons Jay and Chad Snodgrass; Brother Rodger (Emma) and children Rodger, Tracey, Tim, and Michelle; Sisters-in-law Donna Allred (Cordell) and children Karen and Christopher, Debbie Parsons and children Jennifer and Sean, Uncle Albert Moore (Julie) and children Meridith and Amanda, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews who loved their "Uncle Duck”.

A celebration of life will be held on a date not yet determined at this time.