Edwin Timothy Parsons of Gainesville, FL, died at home on July 17, 2017 following his battle with cancer. He was 62.
Ed was born on Eglin Air Force Base to Edwin Howard and Ruby Griggs Parsons. After duty stations in England, France, and Las Vegas NV, the family returned to Ellerbe, NC while Howard served in Vietnam. When he retired, the family remained in Ellerbe. Ed enlisted in the Air Force right after graduating from high school. He served tours in England, Ft. Bragg, NC, and Patrick Air Force Base, FL. He really enjoyed his time in England.
When his enlistment ended he moved to Gainesville to attend college. He completed his AA at Santa Fe Community College, then studied environmental engineering at UF. Ed started working for the City of Gainesville, streets division, in 1995. He completed the GRU Academy and transferred to the Kanapaha Wastewater treatment facility. Within a year he completed the requirements for a C license to operate the plant and a B license thereafter. He retired from the city in 2013.
Ed served in the Army National Guard 410th Quartermaster unit in Gainesville. When that enlistment ended he joined the Florida the Air National Guard 202nd REDHORSE unit out of Camp Blanding. He deployed to Oman for Operation Enduring Freedom and retired in 2012.
Ed is preceded in death by his father and mother.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Bass Parsons; his brother Roger Parsons, Ellerbe, NC; two nephews, Drew, Wilmington, NC, and Matt, US Navy; family-by-marriage Michael and Phyllis Bass, Hernando, FL; Raymond and Beth Mathieu, Rocky Mount, NC; Joann Bass, Moss Point MS; nephews James Mathieu (Renee), Sanford, NC; David Bass, Moss Point, MS; nieces Emily Fox (George), Lantana, TX; Kara Bass, Alpharetta, GA; Anissa Maples (Tim), Lucedale, MS; Jennifer Bass Shields, Moss Point, MS; Joy Renfro (Marc), Mobile, AL.
Family and friends are asked to gather at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central, 4100 NW 39th Ave. at 3:00pm on Saturday, July 22, 2017 for a remembrance and celebration of Ed’s life with Dr. Steven Jones officiating. There will be no viewing. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations to your local Hospice or the charity of your choice.
