Wayne Parsons

KEIZER - Wayne was born October 3, 1930, in Weinert, Texas to Myron and Mattie Lee (Dollar) Parsons. When he was four years old and his sister was two, their father died of Typhoid. His mother married Clebert McCrary, in Clarendon, Texas, bringing two brothers and another sister into this blended family. Wayne was the eldest of seven after one more brother and one more sister were born, completing the family.

Wayne grew up in Amarillo, Texas, graduating from Amarillo High School. He joined the US Navy in 1949, serving on the destroyer USS Harry E. Hubbard in the Pacific during the Korean War and was very proud to have served his country. While he was away in the Navy his parents moved the family to Salem, Oregon. When his service was finished he came to his new home in Oregon, fell in love with the state, and also met and fell in love with his wife, Carol Rasmussen. Wayne and Carol were married August 28, 1955, and began their family.

He is survived by Carol, their son, Bruce Wayne Parsons and wife, Debi, Sara Marie Parsons Holland and husband, Howard, all of Salem. Also surviving are brother Bobby McCrary and wife Kathy, of Ft. Worth, TX, sister June Parsons Brown and husband Ray of Alamogordo, NM, brother Donnie McCrary and wife Kaye of Amarillo, TX, and sister, Wynelle McCrary Fleming of Navarre, FL, four grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William McCrary and sister, Betty McCrary Barton. Wayne was a salesmen of wholesale electronic equipment and owned a Curtis Mathis dealership. He retired in 1985. For years Wayne raised and raced homing pigeons and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 4, 10:30 a.m. at Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Funeral Home. A private interment will be held at City View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Union Gospel Mission.