Dates
John Carlos Parsons, born June 3, 1959, passed into eternal glory on May 18, 2016. A beautiful light went out of the world, and a bright star now shines in heaven. John, or Jack as called by some, grew up as a member of an Air Force family and lived in a variety of places including Germany and the island of Crete before his father retired in San Angelo. He attended Edison Junior High and Central High School, graduating in the class of 1977. John married his high school sweetheart, and the love of his life, Gwen on May 24, 1980 and was blessed with two beautiful children, Bryce John and Meredith Claire, and one granddaughter, Alexia, who lovingly called him Pawpaw. He attended Angelo State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, and he received his Masters of Science in Human Resource Development from Indiana State University. John worked for News Photo publishing company in the mid 1980’s, then took a position as the director of the San Angelo Adult Literacy Council, which was elected at that time as one of George Bush’s 1000 Points of Light. Working a number of years for the local American Cancer Society office, John was proud to have lead the volunteers organizing many special events to raise money for cancer, including the first Relay For Life in San Angelo. For the past seventeen years, John worked for Howard College, most recently as the District Chief Facilities Operations Officer for Howard College. He served his country for a number of years in the United States Naval Reserve. Having a strong faith and love for God, John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo where he served through the years as a youth leader, Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder. He loved being involved with the community and was a former member of the San Angelo Sunrise Rotary Club and later a member of the San Angelo West Rotary Club where he served in a number of positions including club president and district assistant governor, was a Paul Harris Fellow, and was chosen as Rotarian of the Year. He was a graduate of Leadership San Angelo and a member of the Leadership San Angelo Alumni Association and served on a number of civic committees including the San Angelo Economic Development Council, the San Angelo Symphony Board of Directors, the San Angelo Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, and the San Angelo P-16+ Education Partnership to name a few. John loved music and rekindled his love for playing the trumpet a few year ago. He was a member of the San Angelo Community Band and the Ice House Brass Band. John and Gwen loved to travel and took many wonderful trips around the country and world, including favorites to Hawaii, Canada, Panama, and last summer traveling with good friends on a trip of a life time to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. He also loved working on his five acres in Christoval and was quite proud of all the rock moving and flower bed building he did. John was preceded in death by his father, James (Jim) Parsons, his nephew, Justin Callan, and in-laws Harold and Eloise Hodapp. John is survived by his wife, Gwen, son, Bryce John Parsons, daughter, Meredith Claire Parsons, granddaughter, Alexia Brooke Parsons-Ramirez, mother Barbara Parsons, brother, Jim Parsons, sister, Pam Callan, brother-in-law, Homer Stewart, brother-in-law Harold Hodapp (Nancy), sister-in-law Becky Hartman (Mike), sister-in-law Karla Snell (Richard), sister-in-law, Melanie Connery (Kevin), brother-in-law Chuck Hodapp (Gayle), numerous nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, a great-great nephew and niece, aunts, and cousins as well as numerous long-time, dear friends, including the “band geeks” and his Howard College associates. John was greatly loved by all who knew him because of his quick wit, sharp mind, and never failing charm and friendly disposition. He loved teasing with people and was well known for his practical and corny jokes. Feeling so naturally at ease with people, John never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by so many. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., Friday, May 20, 2016 at Harper Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, May 21, 2016 at The First Presbyterian Church in San Angelo with Rev. Bill Proctor officiating. Inurnment will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be sent to, First Presbyterian Church, Howard College Justin Callan Scholarship, Howard College Foundation, MD Anderson, Rotary International, or a charity of your choice.