Family, friends, and the community are deeply saddened by the passing of our cherished John Carter Parsons on May 2, 2024. Born on August 15, 1933, in Lenoir, North Carolina to James and Sarah Parsons, John was predeceased by his sister Sarah Pauline "Polly" Coffey.
Born with an analytical mind, John was the first in his family to attend college, where he learned engineering skills he applied throughout his working life. He was proud of his 20 years of dedicated service to his country as an officer in the US Air Force. He began his career as a navigator of a variety of aircraft and later tracked potential enemy missile launches for the North American Aerospace Defense Command. After retiring from the military in 1975, John embarked on his second successful career as a computer programmer, working for several companies, including Georgia Pacific and Computer Task Group.
Throughout his entire life John had a great love of travel and adventure. His adventures started in North Carolina, where he met his high school sweetheart, Lena, who later traveled to Australia with him as his second wife. His two-decade military career took him all over the world, from Spangdahlem, Germany and Aviano, Italy to Thule, Greenland and Woomera, South Australia. He met his first wife, Colette, in Nice, France during a stopover for military plane repairs. After retiring, John and his third wife, Debbie, made many friends across the United States and Canada by traveling in a series of motor homes with a string of shih tzu pups. They particularly loved extended trips to Alaska and the West Coast, where they would often see their children.
John found love and companionship with Deborah Parsons, marrying her on November 11,1990 and sharing 33 years of unwavering devotion. He brought her red roses every week as a reaffirmation of his love. They lived primarily at their beloved bungalow in Roswell, GA, where they found a warm and supportive community. They enjoyed watching sunsets and combing beaches at their getaway in Sunnyside, FL.
John's legacy lives on through his four children, nine grandchildren, and extended family. He is survived by his two children from his first marriage to Colette Marie Parsons (predeceased), daughter Patricia Hyslop (Ian) of Woodland Park, CO, and son John William Parsons (Ellen) of Belvedere, CA and their daughter Nikki; and by his two children from his second marriage with Lena Farquhar, daughter Jan Sewell (Jim) of Marietta, GA and their four children Cosmo, Calista, Callaway and Carson, and son Paul Parsons of Marietta, GA and his four children Indi, Rainer, Ashley and Aaron. He is also survived by his two great grandchildren, Milo and Ife Copeland.
John's abundance of love extended to his stepchildren Ellen Belliveau (Dave), Donna Lower (Dave), Lois Spadea (predeceased), Liz Thomas, Sherrie Mundt (Kyle), Chuck Burton, Sherry Miller, Terry Miller (predeceased), and Ron Miller (predeceased).
John will be missed by not only his many friends and family but also his sweet rescue dog, Mama Llama.

On Friday, May 10th, 2024, at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, the family will receive friends and loved ones starting at 1pm. The funeral service will follow with full military honors at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Appendix Cancer Research Foundation, https://acpmp.org/get-involved/donate/