James Dale ‘Jim’ Parsons

He was born May 4, 1946, at Parsons, West Virginia, the youngest son of the late Junior W. Parsons and Ruth E. Hedrick Parsons Rizer, who preceded him in death.

On April 25, 1967, he was married to the former Bonnie Jeanne Shiflet in Basel, Switzerland, who survives. They celebrated 57 years of marriage.

Also surviving are three daughters, Sherry Parsons Ramsey of Morgantown, West Virginia, Donna Parsons Hardy and husband, Jeff, of Hurricane, West Virginia, and Brenda Ruth Parsons Overstreet and husband, Dwight, of Morgantown, West Virginia; six grandchildren, Haley Ramsey Johnson and husband, Candon, of Morgantown, West Virginia, Jayden Ramsey of Morgantown, West Virginia, Codi Hardy of Barboursville, West Virginia, Christian Hardy of Hurricane, West Virginia, and Reese and Riley Overstreet of Morgantown, West Virginia; one brother, Roger Lynn (Joe) Parsons and wife, Alice, of Parsons, West Virginia; sister-in-law, Yvonne Parsons of Parsons, West Virginia; brothers-in-law, Robert Shiflet and wife, Debra, of Littleton, Colorado, and Jeffrey Shiflet and wife, Cindy, of Bristow, Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ernest Lee Parsons and wife, Peggy, and Jerry Glenn Parsons; and son-in-law, Terry Ramsey.

Jim was a graduate of Parsons High School with the class of 1964 of which he was well known for his athletic ability in football, basketball and baseball. He enjoyed keeping in touch with his classmates and attending class reunions over the years.

Upon graduation he served the United States Army in Mannheim, Germany, for two years and played on an Army brigade baseball team. Upon returning home he worked for Dorman Mills, Kingsford Charcoal, Parsons City Police, Hinchcliff Lumber Company and retired from Elkins Iron and Metal, where he was an office manager. Jim volunteered with little league baseball and football. He regularly umpired games as well as played on both slow pitch and fast pitch men’s softball teams. For several decades he was a WVU Football season ticket holder. He was also a fan of the Pirates and Steelers. One of his favorite pastimes was watching Tucker County High School sports. He also enjoyed attending the WV High School State Basketball Tournament yearly. Jim loved spending time with his family and long time friends. Those who knew him, knew how generous he was with his time and resources for his friends, family and those in need. Jim was a true animal lover and had many pets during his lifetime. He enjoyed car rides with his wife and dog, Buddy, who preceded him in death. He was an active member of the Parsons Nazarene Church. Following retirement he spent his time doing yard work, relaxing in his pavilion, collecting brass and caring for a feral cat colony near his home.

Jim was passionate about animals. In lieu of flowers the family strongly encourages donations to the Tucker County Animal Shelter. They helped trap, spay/neuter and provide health care for over 20 cats and kittens when Jim could no longer care for the feral colony due to his illness.

Below is a link to donate or you can drop off cat food to the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. https:// tuckercounty animalshelter.com/

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center and Mountain Memories for their tender loving care.

The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 1 p.m.

Pastor Steve Morrow will officiate and interment will follow at the Bethel Cemetery at Holly Meadows where full military honors will be accorded by members of the WV Army National Guard Honor Guard Program, the Tucker County Veterans Association and the Tygarts Valley Post 3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for James Dale “Jim” Parsons.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.