Lt Col Clyde Thomas Parsons, Jr.

Lt Col Clyde Thomas (Tom or Tommy) Parsons Junior passed away March 9, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Texarkana, Texas, on September 4, 1944, to Clyde Thomas Parsons and Mary Cathryn (Duncan) Parsons. Clyde T. Parsons Senior was a Methodist minister. Mary Cathryn raised young Tom, brother Ken, and sister Cathy. Mary Cathryn also held significant responsibilities related to supporting the church and congregation. As the family moved frequently to serve different congregations, Tom got to live in multiple towns in Arkansas until he graduated from Dumas High School in 1962.

In 1967, Tom received his BS in Math and Physics from the State College of Arkansas (now the University of Central Arkansas). That same year, he joined the United States Air Force in Little Rock. While stationed in St. Louis, Missouri, Tom took coursework in meteorology for the Air Force at St. Louis University.

In early 1968, Tom met Patricia Ann Noar from England on a blind date. She would be the love of his life. They married in 1968 and started their family of two daughters, Heather and Susan. Tom obtained an MS in Computer Science from the University of Missouri at Rolla in 1972.

Tom was awarded multiple commendations and awards from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army for weather support, improvements to weather data automation and processing, and development of analytic approaches to estimating limitations on undergraduate pilot training operations and trainer aircraft fleet life expectancies. The highest award received by Tom was the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service as Weather Officer, Southeast Asia Joint Operation Weather Center, Detachment 14, First Weather Group, Tan Son Nhut Airfield, Republic of Vietnam, while engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force from 7 August 1970 to 5 August 1971. During this period, Captain Parsons demonstrated outstanding initiative, thoroughness, scientific knowledge, and technical skill while preparing weather forecasts for use in planning, executing, and evaluating United States and allied air and ground operations throughout Southeast Asia.

In 1978, Tom went into the Air Force Reserves and started his civilian career at USAA where he remained for more than 25 years working in computer science and management.

Tom and Patricia loved to travel to her home country of England. They went every summer to beat the brutal Texas heat and enjoy the cool weather in Derbyshire, England. They enjoyed visiting her family, hiking, and touring the country.

Tom had many hobbies and believed in staying physically and mentally active. In his younger years, Tom was an avid runner. In his later years, Tom loved hiking, playing pickleball, riding his bike, and playing dominoes. He always loved spending time with family and friends. As well as being a life-long learner, he loved to read and study history and the Bible. He was a very talented woodworker and made much of the furniture in his home as well as furniture for his family. He also worked on special woodworking projects for the church and the community. He had spent the last twenty plus years studying genealogy and mapping the Parsons, Duncan, Stevens, and other related family histories. He also helped Patricia start researching her family history in England.

Tom was a devoted member of Northern Hills United Methodist Church for approximately 20 years. He thoroughly enjoyed attending small groups, researching the Bible, and participating in fellowship activities in and outside church. Tom made a wood plaque for his favorite Bible verse from John 3:16. More recently, Tom enjoyed the Christian conversations that he had with his brothers in Christ, Mel, Steve, and Brian about 1 Peter. Tom frequently talked about his activities and friends from church because they played an essential part of his living life to the fullest and brought him great happiness.

Tom is survived by his wife, Patricia Parsons; his daughters, Heather Parsons McCain and Susan Kelly; his respective sons-in-law, Zach McCain and Jim Kelly; his grandchildren, Connor Kelly and Eliza McCain; his brother, Ken Parsons; and his sister Cathy Baxter, her husband, Dave Baxter, Ret. U.S. Army, and their children. He was preceded in death by his loving parents Clyde Thomas Parsons Senior and Mary Cathryn Parsons and his in-laws Bert and Doris Noar.

The family would like to express their gratitude for all love and support from Northern Hills UMC and friends during this difficult time.

FUNERAL SERVICETHURSDAY, MARCH 28, 202412:00 PMNORTHERN HILLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH3703 N LOOP 1604 E., SAN ANTONIO, TX 78247

Interment will follow in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.