Eugene “Preacher” Vencen Parsons, Sr.

Eugene “Preacher” Vencen Parsons, Sr., passed away on December 11, 2024, surrounded by family at Spring Gardens Assisted Living Facility in Meridian, Idaho. Preacher was born on August 15, 1940, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Henry and Ella Belle Parsons. He was the sixth child of eight; he had three brothers and four sisters. Preacher married Majohna Ruth Edwards in Miami, Oklahoma, on September 8, 1964, and they had three sons.

Preacher joined the United States Air Force on August 16, 1961, and served as a firefighter until his retirement on September 30, 1981. After his military retirement, he and his family settled in Hebo, Oregon. They later moved to Mountain Home, Idaho, in September 1985, when Preacher accepted a job as a housing inspector in the Civil Engineering Department at Mountain Home Air Force Base. He retired from this position on February 7, 2004.

Preacher had a keen sense of humor. He was an avid fisherman and camper, enjoyed yard sales on a Saturday morning, and had an impressive collection of knives. He enjoyed watching old Looney Tunes cartoons, Westerns (and could name every old actor in them), and alien paranormal shows about bigfoot and UFOs. He loved listening to old country music. He spent much of his time tinkering in his shop. He loved building things and bringing broken things back to life.

Preacher is preceded in death by his wife, Majohna, his son, John, and his grandson, Cody. He is survived by his sons, Eugene “Vence” Parsons, Jr., and Matthew S. Parsons (Brook); his grandchildren, Josh Parsons (Angel), Shae Parsons, Michala Martin, Heath Parsons, Willow Parsons, Covin Parsons (Victoria), Breanna Parsons (Sam), Christopher Jacques, and Kaitlin Parsons (Ralph); and his great-grandchildren Taos, Sloane, Aubree, Sophie (baby brother on the way), Ava, Emma, and Lozee.

A memorial service will be held at Rost Funeral Home Chapel on January 17, 2025, at 10AM followed by a private family graveside service at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 1PM.