Richard Clare Parsons died peacefully on March 30, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born in Greenville, MI to St. Clare and Mary Barningham Parsons. Growing up, he enjoyed building model airplanes and spending summers with his family at Turk Lake.

Richard was an exceptional student and graduated as salutatorian from Greenville High School in 1943. After high school, he ran projectors at the Slate Theater and brought electricity to farms in the area by installing the necessary wiring. He began college at Michigan State University in 1944. Richard joined the U. S. Navy in July of 1945, where he became an Electronics Technician. After discharge from the Navy, Richard took one of two cross-country motorcycle trips across the United States. Richard's children fondly remember their dad coming to their school classes to show slides from his trips.

Richard returned to his studies at Olivet College before attending the University of Illinois School of Medicine, graduating in 1952. He completed a residency in otolaryngology at the University of Michigan in 1958 and began his career as a faculty member at Emory University. In 1959, Richard moved into private practice in Battle Creek, MI, and then moved back to Atlanta, where he served as a well-respected physician until his retirement in 1992. Richard served as Chief of Staff at Decatur Hospital and after retiring from private practice, consulted part-time at the hospital until he was 83. Richard also donated time to supervise ENT surgery residents at Emory.

In addition to riding motorcycles, Richard loved flying airplanes. In his early years practicing in Georgia, he helped organize free clinics around the state of Georgia and used his airplane to travel back and forth to the clinics. The patients he saw in the clinics often could not afford the surgery they needed, so Richard donated his own time and arranged with the children's hospitals in Atlanta to cover the cost of care. On the weekends, Richard flew his plane for fun. A plane ride made a great location for a date with his future wife and his children treasure memories of plane rides with Daddy.

Richard married Ann Parker in November 1969, and they built a wonderful life together. One of the highlights of the family's life was the time spent at their cabin on Lake Hartwell. Richard and Ann retired to the lake property and made Hartwell their home. They both became active at Hartwell First United Methodist Church. Richard joined the American Legion and served as the Chaplain for 20 years.

Richard is survived by his wife, Ann Parker Parsons; children: Amy Morgan (Dan), Robin Parsons (Nadiya), Anne Matthews, Rebecca Walden (Ron), and Richard Parsons (Mitch); grandchildren: John Parsons, Hannah Pye (Brandon), Jarrett Morgan (Avnika), Rex Dahlheimer (Rose), William Matthews, Mary Cyre (Sean), James Matthews, Katya Parsons; great-grandchildren: Lillian Pye, Eleanor Pye, River Cyre.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 6, at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Hartwell First Methodist Church with a reception to follow. Memorial gifts may be given to the Charlie Green Sunday School Class of Hartwell First Methodist Church (200 E. Howell Street, Hartwell, GA 30643) or to a charity of your choice.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.