Richard Blaine Parsons

Richard Blaine Parsons, Springville, UT age 84, died November 20, 2021

He was born on July 16, 1937 in Ogden, UT the oldest of three sons born to Blaine Charles and Lucile Lambert Parsons. He married Cenia Marie Carlsen, June 21, 1956 in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. They were the parents of four children, Janet, Keith, Lynn and Laura.

Richard grew up in Victor, Blackfoot and Pocatello, Idaho. He graduated from Pocatello High School in May 1955 and the University of Wyoming in December 1972 with a BS degree in Business Administration.

His military service to his country began December 1, 1955, when he enlisted in the US Air Force as a personnel specialist. He transferred to the US Army on October 22, 1968 to become a personnel warrant officer. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (W3) from the US Army June 30, 1978 at Ft Lewis, WA after 22 1/2 years of active service. His military assignments took him and his family to Rabat AB Morocco North Africa; Francis E Warren AFB, Cheyenne WY, AFR OTC Det 940 at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY; Allied Forces Northern Europe, AFNORTH Oslo, Norway; Dong Tam Vietnam; Fort Sam Houston TX; Udorn and Bangkok, Thailand; and Fort Lewis WA. His second career was for 12 years as an office manager with New York Life Insurance Co in Tacoma, Olympia WA and Salt Lake City, UT, taking an early retirement in November 1990. His third career was with Brigham Young University, where he started April 1, 1991, working for Mail Services and then BYU Alumni Association, retiring April 30, 2000. 

Richard was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in various administrative and leadership positions. He was ordained a Seventy by President Thomas S Monson. He and his wife served as the office couple in the Korea Daejeon Mission, April 2002 to October 2003. Richard was a dedicated home teacher. He may not have been a scriptorium, but he was devoted to serving others. He also served as Ward Clerk in the Park 4th Ward for over 6 years.

During his retirement years Richard served for 7 years at the Provo MTC driving Elders to doctor appointments outside of Provo City. He also supervised the welcoming of new missionaries, and their families, each Wednesday assisting in unloading their cars and directing the drivers where to park. He delivered Meals on Wheels each Tuesday for a few years. He then cared for his wife in her recovery from falls.

Richard was an organized individual and detail-oriented in his work and with his family and home. He loved his family and enjoyed the many opportunities of being together with them for birthdays, haircuts and other activities. He reminded us that we were making memories. 

He is survived by a son Keith Richard (Jill) of Elk Ridge UT, and daughter Laura Lee (Todd) Hindmarsh, Tomball, TX. a daughter-in-law, Connie N Robanske, Kennewick, WA. a son-in-law Richard C Rife, (Colleen) Spanish Fork, UT and brother, Robert Joseph (Connie), Spanish Fork. He is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Cenia. Having been married 65 years prior to her death on 19 June 2021. A brother Byron Lee, at age 3, accident, a son, Lynn Carlson at age 25, leukemia, a daughter Janet P. Rife, at age 54, ALS. His father 86 and mother 73, and a grandson Cole Morgan Hindmarsh, 4 months, birth defects.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street in Orem. Graveside services will immediately follow beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Orem City Cemetery, with full VFW Rites.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

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