Sammy L. Parsons, 77, lost his battle with Lewy Body Dementia on March 14, 2021. Sammy was born on February 24th, 1944 and grew up in Urbandale, IA. Sammy served in the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant during Vietnam and was stationed in Korea. Sammy was a proud member of the Teamsters Union Local 90. He worked at Hicklin Diesel, Colonial Bakery, retired from UPS after 35 years of service, and spent retirement working at Karl Chevrolet.
Sammy always left people better than he found them. He would befriend the lost, hug the hurt, love the lonely, and influence the broken. Sammy was articulate and took his time with everything he did, telling stories, fishing, measuring, and teaching a trade to the next person who made eye contact with him.
Sammy was a courageous, wholehearted man who never looked for praises and was never one to boast. He was a sturdy hand for many to hold onto in times of stress and strife. Sammy always saw the best in people and never knew a stranger. His heart was full of forgiveness and compassion. Sammy was mischievous and enjoyed bringing a laugh to every room he entered. Sammy lived his life being a good person, with a kind heart, but never hesitated to put someone in their place when needed.
Sammy is survived by his loving wife, Phoebe Joanne Erickson Parsons, of 56 years. His children Leticia (Dharl) Bagley & Scott (Jessica) Parsons. His grandchildren, Derek (Brenna) Bagley, Andrea Bagley, Jordan Parsons, Joseph Bagley, Maela Parsons, & Anna Parsons. And his great-grand daughter, Piper Bagley. He is also survived by his brother Francis (Marcia) Parsons, sister-in-law Marilynn Parsons, sister Karen (Frank) Erickson, brother Earl (Liane) Parsons, brother Robert (Julie) Parsons. He was also blessed with an abundance of nieces and nephews.
Sammy is proceeded in death by his parents Gene & Adalene Peppers-Parsons, his in-laws Leonard & Phoebe Erickson, sister JoAnn (Alan) Fisher, brother Larry Parsons, brother-in-law Ernie Erickson, and first wife Shirley Conn-Parsons.
We will be honoring his memory on Thursday, March 18th, 2021. A visitation will be held 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA with funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. The service will be live streamed at 11:00 go to tps://player.vimeo.com/video/524302220.
His final resting place will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, IA. Burial will begin at 2:00 PM. Mask and social distancing are required per pandemic requirements.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks everyone to cast a line, drink a beer, and donate to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org).
