George Sterling Parsons

Dr. George Sterling Parsons died on December 25, 2011 at the age of 70 after a courageous 3 year battle with multiple myeloma. George died at home with family at his bedside. He was the only son of Velma Boulware Parsons Hair and the late Sterling George Parsons.

George was born in Georgetown, SC and raised in Columbia, SC. A USC graduate, he completed his dental education at the Medical College of Virginia in 1967. He was on the dental faculties at the Medical University of SC and the University of Florida. After completing his certificate at the Medical College of Georgia in 1977 he practiced as an endodontist in West Columbia, SC until his retirement in 2005. An avid hunter, fisherman, and gun collector he purchased Barron’s Outfitters with his son in 1998 and continued his involvement with the business until his death. He loved the time he spent with Kent at Barron’s.

A navy veteran, Dr. Parsons served in the Dental Corp in DaNang, Vietnam and continued service to his country in the Naval Reserve. He was a member of numerous organizations and groups including the American Dental Association, South Carolina Dental Association, American Endodontists Association, and was a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. He was a member of Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity and founded the SC Graduate Chapter.

Later in life he developed a passion for motorcycling, traveling across the country to find the perfect “road side diner”. He loved to plan “guy trips” for friends who learned to appreciate the challenge of following his strict itinerary and listening to his conservative political views.

Dr. Parsons is survived by his mother, wife, Mary Ann, daughter, Nicole Harwell (John) and grandsons Blake and Andrew of Denver, CO; son, Kent (Shannon) and grandsons Sterling, Campbell, Graham, and Jennings of West Columbia, SC all of whom provided much love and joy in his life.

The family expresses gratitude to Dr. Ann Hutchison, Dr. Trip Jones, and Tammy Cooper, RN of the SC Oncology Associates for their compassionate care of George.

The family will receive friends and family from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, December 29th at Shives Funeral Home. A private service will be held at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.