Reverend Randall L. Parsons' Obituary
Randall Lorentz Parsons was born in 1917 in Saxon Ohio, near the Big Bend of the Ohio River. His parents farmed the rich river bottomland. Randall worked on that farm, and later with his dad in the well-drilling business. By the time he was in his late teens he knew he wanted something different. Public speaking was one of those things, and in high school he became an accomplished speaker and debater. At about the same time, he began meeting with his neighbor and future brother-in-law, Chester, to play music. Before too long, he and Chester formed a band, "The Melodiers", and brought in Chester's sister, Agnes, as female vocalist. As they began giving concerts, Randall displayed his versatility by playing the bass fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, guitar, slide whistle and the hand saw. He also shared the stage with his ventriloquist dummy and his trained German Shepherd dog, Max. He loved entertaining so much that he went to New York City to audition for the Major Bowes Amateur Hour. As is often the case, Randall fell in love with the band's female vocalist, and he and Agnes soon married. The newlyweds moved to Vienna, West Virginia, a suburb of Parkersburg, where they began to raise a family, and where they attended The Wesley Methodist church. As the United States became involved in World War II, Randall was prepared to go off to war, but was deferred because he was needed as a machinist at the Rig & Reel, to make equipment for the war effort.
In 1951, when Randall received a call to the ministry of the Methodist Church, he began his Bachelor’s degree at Marietta College where he honed his public speaking skills and began his formal study of theology. Immediately thereafter, he entered Wesley Theological Seminary in Westminster, Maryland, where he earned the Master of Divinity degree, and delighted in singing with the Seminary Singers men’s choir. Throughout those years of school, he and Agnes raised 4 children and served a 5-church charge based in Cairo, WVA. Over the subsequent years, they served churches in Mt. Savage, Maryland and Shepherdstown, WVA.
The family moved to the Florida Conference in 1962 and, over the next 35 years, served churches in Sebastian, Tavares, Belle Glade, Apopka, and finally, Williston, Florida. In retirement he continued to minister as a chaplain at Hospice of Lake and Sumter Counties, and as visitation pastor at First UMC, Tavares. Randall also served as interim pastor of churches in Sun Valley, Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho and Franklin, NC.
Randall brought joy and comfort to countless lives through his heartfelt sermons, compassionate visits and entertaining spirit. The music he grew up with stayed with him throughout his life, as he and Agnes sang and played music together, infusing their children with a deep love of music, especially singing. Randall used his ventriloquism skills in spreading the Gospel to children in his churches. He transmitted his love of life and laughter through stories and jokes, told with great enthusiasm and skill, which, along with his profound understanding of theology, made his sermons entertaining, touching and inspiring. His down-to-earth approachability, coupled with his desire to serve and his strong intellect, led many to follow his lead into the ministry, and into other avenues of Christian service.
Randall continued his service to others throughout the time he lived at Lakeview Terrace Retirement Community, leading Bible studies, preaching from time to time, singing in the Troubadours men’s group, and playing guitar and singing in countless public events for his community. He and his “dummy” J.J. often acted as co-emcee’s for these events. In his final months and weeks, he continued to entertain the nurses, doctors, staff, friends and family with his harmonica. He passed away in his sleep on September 20, 2014 at 97 years of age.
He is remembered and will be dearly missed by his son, Darrell Parsons and his wife, Julie of University Park, Maryland; daughters, Patty Tewson and her husband, Bill of Sun Valley, Idaho, Eloise Gerecitano and her husband, Paul of Roswell, GA, and Carolyn Cutler and her husband, Ken of Orlando, Florida; sister, Norma Thorn and her husband Fred of Lakeland, FL; 8 grandchildren, Cody Parsons of Sun Valley, Idaho, Maria Tagliarino of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, BethAnne Welischar of Roswell, Georgia, Keith Gerecitano of Atlanta, Georgia, Talia Gerecitano of Los Angeles, California, Nicholas Gerecitano of Las Vegas, Nevada, Katharine Parsons Petzold of Easton, Maryland and Jon Randall Parsons of Los Angeles, California and 2 great grandchildren, Ethan Gerecitano of Roswell, Georgia and Isidor Parsons of Los Angeles, California. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes in November of 2013; a daughter, Joan Ruth Parsons in 1942; and a sister, Marie Parsons Ellis on May 14, 2014.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 600 W. Ianthe Street, Tavares, FL 32778 or Cornerstone Hospice Life Enrichment Program, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM at Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Home, Tavares. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 11:00AM at the First United Methodist Church of Tavares. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on the Tribute Wall.
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