Jerry Parsons' Obituary
Jerry Parsons, age 91, of Ames, Iowa died at Northcrest Community in Ames. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday May 12, 2023, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1416 20th Street, Ames, Iowa 50010. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm with funeral services to start at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow. Online condolences and additional information is available at www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com Jerry Parsons, devoted husband of Diane, lived a life of faith, love, and service to others. Jerry's loving nature nurtured his personal family as well as his church and 4-H families. Jerry served as a layperson and in other various leadership positions for the church throughout his life. One of Jerry's greatest joys was celebrating the lives of his children Kathy, Dennis, and Dave, along with his grandkids, Ben, Zach, Lauren, and Colin. Jerry was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, and then in 2020 the National 4-H Hall of Fame. He was awarded Honorary 4-H Club Member and Lifetime Associate Trustee of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, Jerry was born July 7, 1931, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Edward and Cora (Sass) Parsons. Jerry married Diane Hollingsworth on May 24, 1955, in Oelwein, Iowa. Jerry graduated from Tipton High School, earned three degrees from Iowa State University, and studied at the Merrill-Palmer Institute. After his U.S. Navy military service, he began his career in 4-H as a County and Area 4-H staff member at ISU before serving as the Assistant State Leader for 4-H and Youth Programs. He joined the staff at North Carolina State University as an Associate Professor of Adult and Community College Education. He later served in the Adult and Continuing Education Department at Kansas State University. He returned to Iowa State in 1980 as State Leader for 4-H and Youth Programs reaching 132,000 young people and 10,000 volunteers by 1988. Jerry is survived by his wife, Diane Parsons; his children, Kathy Parsons, Dennis (Stephanie) Parsons, Dave (Michelle Clancy) Parsons; and his grandchildren, Ben Parsons, Zach Parsons, Lauren Parsons, and Colin Parsons. Memorials may be directed to: the Northminster Presbyterian Church of Ames, the Iowa 4-H Foundation, or the Northcrest Community Foundation.
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