Edgar "Ed" Parsley

Beloved husband and father Edgar “Ed” Parsley, 71, suddenly went home to the Lord on July 16, 2016 after a heart attack. He was born in Knoxville, TN, and moved to Lakeland, FL, in 1972 where he met the love of his life, Jenny. Ed and Jenny celebrated 42 years of marriage this past August and looked forward to many adventures together. He was a member of Church of the Resurrection and Knights of Columbus. Ed served in the U.S. Army Intelligence Agency and was stationed in Sinop, Turkey, during the Vietnam Conflict as an intelligence intercept operator. Following his service, Ed worked at S.H. Kress for a short time and then for the U.S. Postal Service for 38 years. Ed did not have a middle name but his unofficial one was Helpful because he was always ready to help others, especially his family. After retiring, he spent countless hours as a volunteer at Agape Food Bank, Medulla Elementary and Regenerations Resale Shop, which benefits many outreach organizations of Church of the Resurrection. Ed was known as the go-to person to get things accomplished. He helped facilitate a series of bible studies called Handling Money God’s Way through Compass Catholic Ministries and also Bishop Robert Barrons’ Study on Catholicism. Ed also frequently gave the gift of life through blood donations. Ed was an inspiration to everyone who knew him because of his kind heart and selfless nature. We loved him for so many reasons. He tried to hide his smile but could never quite manage the feat. He shared the qualities of St. Joseph – quiet, hardworking and humble. Ed is survived by his wife Jenny (Genevieve), son Jason, daughter and son-in-law Kelly and Vinnie Miller, and daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Jeffrey Thomas. He also leaves behind grandchildren Bradley, Elizabeth and Joseph. His family includes brother Charles Parsley and sister-in-law Patsy; sister Linda Faye Parsley; sister Judy and brother-in-law Bill Williams, sister Sandra Wheeler; sister- and brother-in-law Cathy and Tim Kelley; sister- and brother-in-law Stephanie and Graham Moore; sister-in-law Kathleen Parsley; brother-in-law Edward Clymer; and many loved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Pleasant Burnett Parsley, mother Lena Mae Parsley, brother Ron Parsley and sister Sarah Clymer. Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, July 20 from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 3720 Old Rd 37. Funeral Mass for a celebration of Ed’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 21 also at Church of the Resurrection, followed by interment at Oak Hill Burial Park Cemetery, 4620 US Highway 98 S.

Edgar "Ed" Parsley

March 2, 1945 - July 16, 2016