Howard Franklin Parsons Sr.

Howard Franklin Parsons, Sr., 88 of Dunbar, WV passed away peacefully with his family by his side, early morning, Friday, August 10, 2018 at Community Hospice in Ashland, KY. He was born in Given, WV on May 20, 1930; a son of the late Clayton and Freda Parsons. He was a 1949 graduate of Ripley High School. Howard joined the U.S. Army on May 22, 1950 and served in the Army National Guard until he was honorably discharged to serve in the U.S. Air Force on August 14, 1950. His most significant duty assignment was the 801st AP Squadron. The 801st Air Division was assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC)s Eighth Air Force at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio. His favorite assignment was the 55th/72nd Air Police Squadron at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. He was honorably discharged on August 14, 1954. He later attended WV State College. On April 2, 1955, Howard married Mildred Ada (Sayre) Parsons. She was the daughter of the late Perry V. and Hazel B. Sayre of Mason County, WV. They were married 63 years and had two children. Howard worked at and later managed Dunbar Lanes for 30 years; some would say he made the best hotdogs ever made. He then worked at the WV Rehabilitation Center in Institute until his retirement as Assistant Administrator in 1993. He was a master electrician and enjoyed doing wiring jobs in his spare time. He also enjoyed bowling, fishing and traveling the back roads of beautiful WV. One of his favorite places to visit was Green Bank in Pocahontas County. He spent many hours enjoying the company of his nephew, Mark Doughty and his sons, Brian and Justin, at their familys camp. He had a great sense of humor and was quite often the instigator of practical jokes. In addition to his wife Mildred, he is survived by his son, Howard Franklin Parsons, Jr., of Ashland, KY; his daughter, Donna Cottrill and her husband, Dennis, of Hurricane, WV; and his granddaughter and his greatest joy in life, Kristen Nichole Cottrill, of Morgantown; and his sister, Billie Hiotakis, of Sicklerville, NJ. He was preceded in death by his brothers: Arden, Lowen and Tilden Okey "Buck" Parsons. At Howards request, there will be no formal services. He will be cremated and his cremains will be scattered in the mountains of Pocahontas County at a later date. Memorial donations may be given to Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101 or Alzheimers Association at www.alz.org. The family would like to thank the staffs of Teays Valley Assisted Living, Hurricane, WV, The Lantern at Morning Pointe, Russell, KY and Community Hospice, Ashland, KY for the wonderful care he was given. Condolences may be expressed to the family below.CK18-049