It is with great sadness that the family of David Ray Parsons announces his passing after succumbing to Lou Gehrig's disease, on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at the age of 66 years.

David was a native Knoxvillian, born on March 9 ^th , 1952, to his father Clifford Ray Parsons and mother Pearl Christine Parsons.  David lived most of his natural life in the Knoxville area.  David is a Vietnam Era Veteran, serving honorably in the United States Air Force.   After his tour, he went to college in Nashville, Tennessee, and Cookeville,  Tennessee and taught Electronics.  David was married to Barbara Hawks on December 30, 1989.  David soon realized a new passion.  He loved to hang wallpaper more than anyone and ran a great business doing just that, along with his wife Barbara.  His passion for helping people in the community drove David past wallpaper and led him to help people whatever the task may be. His insatiable attitude and yearning to help others lifted the spirits of everyone around him.

David had an unrelenting and positive outlook for all of his family, both immediate and extended.  He would never engage in negative tone and always saw the best in everyone.  There will always be a special place in David's heart for those who were by his side through the ups and downs of his life.  David will be lovingly cherished by his two honorary Brothers who have stayed with him throughout his life- Matthew Johnston and Clay Ringler, and by his honorary sister Marilyn Hembree.

David will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 30 years, Barbara, and by his natural son Jeremy Parsons, by his step daughter Sharie Matthews, and by his adopted daughter Christa Rodriguez (John).  David will be fondly remembered by his six grandchildren, Jon Matthews, Cody (Erica)Feinstein, Stephen Hawks, John-Michael and Catherine-Grace Rodriguez, Loretta Pearl Parsons, and three great-grandchildren Layla, Logan and Lainey Feinstein.  David will also be lovingly remembered by his three sisters, Joan Manos, Ann (Rodger) Mitchell, and Elaine Burris as well as his seven brothers, the late Danny Parsons, Paul (Suzan) Parsons, Johnny Parsons, Norman Parsons, Roger (Beth) Parsons, and Tracy (Tammy) Parsons.

Visitation will be Friday, August 31, 2018, from 6:00PM until 8:00PM.  The funeral service in memory of David will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at 1:00PM  at Woodhaven Funeral Home, 160 Edgemoor Road, Powell, TN. 37849.  Interment will be Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at 11:30 AM at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN.

Woodhaven Funeral Home is honored to serve the Parsons family.