Ray Parsons, 88, of Evarts departed this life on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Harlan App. Reg. Hospital following an extended illness.  Born March 30, 1937 in Closplint, he was a lifelong resident of here.  Ray was proud to have been a self-employed logging contractor.  He had also previously worked in the coal industry, was a bulldozer operator, and was a very talented mechanic, both diesel and gasoline.  He enjoyed antique cars, gardening and being outdoors, especially four-wheeling and camping before his health declined.  He believed in the Baptist faith.

Ray is preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Marie Short Parsons; a daughter, Karen Ann Parsons; his parents, the Reverend Stephen Parsons and Lavina Creech Parsons; a brother, Robert Parsons; six half-brothers, Benjamin Harrison Parsons, James Roy Parsons, Lawrence B. Parsons, Herbert Parsons, Andrew Lloyd Parsons and Charles Leslie Parsons; his maternal grandparents, Joseph Creech and Nancy Cloud Creech; and his paternal grandparents, Benjamin Franklin Parsons and Mary Jane Setser Parsons.

Survivors include his son, Steve Parsons of Urbana-Champaign, IL; two nieces, Theresa and Deborah Parsons, both of Spring City, TN; special friends, Jerry and Treva Short of Cotes; Arthur and Shirley Browning of Nolansburg; and a host of other family and friends.

His visitation will be held Monday from 5 until 8 pm at the Evarts Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 1 pm at the Evarts Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Lloyd Ray Burkhart officiating.  Please meet at the Evarts Funeral Home by 12:30 to go to the cemetery in procession.

Evarts Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ray Parsons.