Ray Eldred Parsons, born July 18, 1924, Dalhart, Texas; died peacefully in his sleep Wednesday June 17, 2020, at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, LaGuna Hills, California, just weeks prior to his ninety-sixth birthday. The sixth of seven children, son of a preacher, Ray lived a full life, growing up during the depression, serving stateside during WWII, living in Texas, Illinois, California, Kentucky, Arizona and finally retiring back to California.His wife Carolyn (McKenzie) of thirty-five years preceded him in death (1996).He is survived by three children: Noel (Enete, Denise), Ray (Kim), and Margaret ("Maggie" Conley, Sean), nine grandchildren: Charis (Saito, Steven), Shannon (Enete), Shane (Enete, Tammy), John (Enete), Ryan (Grundy, Ashlynne), Colin (Grundy), Margaret ("Molly" Brown), Kelly (Parsons) and James (Parsons, Taylor) and seven great-grandchildren:Phoenix (Brown), Raelynne (Grundy), Henley (Grundy), Ezekiel (Enete), Eden (Enete), Sage (Enete), and Silas (Enete).

Ray's mother, Effie, stepmother Mary, father Joseph Guy, five brothers and one sister preceded him in death: Harris (Milred); Jay; Donald (Edna); Effie (Harold); Joseph (Gene).He is survived by his youngest sister Vera Parmenter (husband Lowery, deceased) and dozens of beloved nieces and nephews.

After the war Ray became a Clocksmith and for some years drove a route in the southern United States based out of Dallas for Yale Lock Company servicing safes for jewelry companies. He loved working with children and used this time to save in order to go to school and become a teacher. In 1959 he finished his Master's in Education and Administration as well as met the love of his life, Carolyn, also a teacher, in Southern California.

A teacher, then an elementary school principal, Ray retired from being a full-time educator in 1991 but continued to work part time with a local elementary school in his retirement.

A passionate golfer, Ray was always hoping to shoot his age.He got closer every year.

Ray was also passionate about his children, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren letting his newlywed grandson and wife, Ryan and Ashlynne, live with him the first four months they were married while Ryan was finishing his tour with the Marines.Oldest great-grandson, Phoenix (8-years-old), recalled recently, loving to sit with Grampa and read Curious George, watch golf and eat popcorn, and if Grampa fell asleep stealing his popcorn.

As a father Ray coached his children's baseball, softball and golf teams, was always ready to build a homemade kite or any necessary project and carpool at any time of the day or night. He loved to play cards with Carolyn and her sister and brother-in-law Jack and Nancy Racine (deceased) and drove cross-country to see extended family well into his eighties. He was especially proud of his grandsons' military service being sure to attend their Eagle, Globe & Anchor and Pass & Review ceremonies.

Ray spoke constantly of how proud he was of his sons and of their great care of him and the delight he took in the visits he had with his local grandchildren Kelly, James, wife Taylor and beautiful great-granddaughter Nora.

Baptized by his father at the age of fourteen and a lifetime faithful church-goer Ray was a member of Foothills Family Church at the time of his death. He loved the old faithful hymns, particularly "The Old Rugged Cross" and his favorite "How Great Thou Art."

Ray's body is lying in state at McCormick & Son Mortuaries in Laguna Hills, CA and will be transported to Tucson, AZ.In lieu of flowers please send donations to Foothills Family Church in his memory.

Due to Covid-19 No services are planned at this time.

Ray's ashes will be scattered in the same mountains as his beloved Carolyn.

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:4.