Thomas Dean Parsons

Tom was born in Tyler, TX on February 28, 1947 to Christine Hardin Parsons and TJ Parsons. He was raised in Tyler and attended Robert E. Lee High School and Tyler Junior College. During his adult years, Tom was active duty in the US Army, serving in Vietnam. He later married Virginia Giles and they had a loving marriage until she passed in 2021. Tom drove trucks for Brookshire's, where he worked for more than 30 years.

In his spare time, Tom enjoyed playing guitar, singing, and cooking for family and friends. He loved all things "ocean" and his dream was to become a beach bum. Tom loved to travel, but not to the tourist spots - he wanted to hang out where the locals were. His family and friends will remember Tom's boisterous laugh and huge personality. He was a friend to everyone he met, and his friends say, "To know him is to love him, and once you know him, you'll never forget him."

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Virginia. He is survived by: daughter Melody Mullen of Hideaway, TX, granddaughter Marley Mullen of Tyler, TX, and granddaughter Delaney Mullen of New York, NY; daughter Michelle Wintters (Mark) of Tyler, TX, grandson Mason Wintters (Emily) of Lindale, TX, and great-grandchildren Ross and Westyn, granddaughter McKenna Smith (Nic) of Tyler, TX and great-grandchildren Tatum and Aubrey; daughter Anita Malone (Jeremy) of Katy, TX, grandson Geoffrey Taylor of Houston, TX, grandson Bene Taylor (Amanda) of Katy, TX and great-grandchildren Kaius and Levi; son Allen Paul (Jennifer) of Tyler, TX, grandson Justin Paul (Callan) of Grand Prairie, TX, and great-grandchildren Noelle and Weston, granddaughter Allison Gamboa (Armando) of Bogota, Columbia, and grandson John Lloyd Paul, a student at the University of Arkansas.

A celebration of life for Tom will be held Monday, February 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Lloyd James Funeral Home, 1011 East First Street, Tyler, TX 75701. Following the celebration of life will be a graveside service at 11:00 AM at Rose Hill Cemetery, 2400 S Donnybrook Ave, Tyler, TX 75701.