Raymond Lawrence Parsons

PARSONS  “Skip” , Raymond Lawrence of Corolla, North Carolina passed away peacefully of natural causes, and went to be with the Lord Sunday, August 26, 2007.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Earl Parsons and Phyllis Odell Parsons.

Born On July 31, 1950, Skip was a beloved husband, a loving father and brother, and a dear friend.  He is survived by his wife Suzanne Timberlake Parsons; his daughter, Sara Elizabeth Parsons Clark and husband, Matthew; his sons Joshua Chase Parsons, and Mason James Beaudry; as well as Nancy Knight Parsons; his brother, Allan Bradford Parsons, and wife Terri Leigh Parsons, and his nephew Teran Ray Parsons; his step-children Amanda Berkley Leininger, and Patrick Jordan Leininger; two cousins, Chris Newton and Carol Bigman; an uncle, Chip Odell; and an aunt Yvonne McLravy.

Skip was raised in Tidewater, Virginia where he graduated from the Walsingham Academy high school in 1968.  From there, he graduated from the University of Hawaii having earned degrees in biology and psychiatry.  Some of the happiest years in his life were spent surfing the waves at the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  He later moved to the Outer Banks, North Carolina where he enjoyed over 30 years as a successful general contractor and surfer.

A mass celebrating Skip’s life will be held at Our Lady of the Seas Corolla Chapel Friday September 7, 2007 at 1 O’clock in the afternoon.  The celebrant will be Father Joseph Klaus.  Following the mass of celebration, the family will receive friends at the Inn at Corolla Light, 1066 Ocean Trail, from 2 O’clock to 4 O’clock in the evening.

Surfing was the biggest passion of Skip’s life. The family suggests that those wishing to express sympathy and tribute to Skip do so in the form of a contribution to the “Skip Parsons Surf Foundation for Disabled Children” PO Box 460 Corolla, North Carolina 27927.  If desired, floral tributes honoring  Skip Parsons may be forwarded to the Parsons family care of  Gallop Funeral Services, Inc.  6917 South Croatan Highway Nags Head, North Carolina 27959 (252-449-8695).   Condolences to the family may be sent via the on-line register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.