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Benjamin Parsons Obituary
'Benny'
CONCORD -- Mr. Parsons, 65, of Concord, NC died Tuesday, January 17, 2007 at Carolinas Medical Center. He was born on July 12, 1941 in Wilkes County to Hazel Parsons and the late Harold Parsons.
Mr. Parsons, the 1973 Winston Cup Champion, was an internationally known television and radio commentator, and in 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. A member of First Presbyterian Church in Ellerbe, NC, he regularly attended Pitts Baptist Church in Concord. Mr. Parsons was a 1959 graduate of West Wilkes High School and attended NC State University.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by wife, Teresa 'Terri' Johnson Parsons of Concord; sons, Kevin Stewart Parsons and wife, Kim, of Ellerbe, NC, and Keith Russell Parsons and wife, Colleen, of Rockingham, NC; brothers, Steve Parsons and wife, Donna, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, and Phil Parsons and wife, Marcia, of Cornelius; sister, Patty Severt and husband, Rex, of West Jefferson, NC; and grandchildren, Emily and Libbie.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Connie E. Parsons Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 443, Ellerbe, NC 28338; the Blumenthal Cancer Center, 1001 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203; or Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317.
A celebration of Mr. Parsons' life will be held for family and the racing community at 2 PM Friday, January 19, 2007 at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius, NC with Rev. Scott Davis and Rev. Dale Beaver officiating. The family invites Benny's fans to pay their respects during a public visitation from 4:00-5:30 PM at Grace Covenant Church, following the private service on Friday. A private funeral service for family will be held 2 PM Saturday at Millers Creek Baptist Church. Burial will follow at a family plot.
Raymer Funeral Home, Huntersville, NC is serving the family. www.raymerfuneralhome.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Parsons
MARGARET SILER
February 18, 2007
I LIVED FOR 8 YRS JUST UP THE MTN ABOVE PARSONSVILLE RD, PURLEAR,NC, I HEARD LOTS OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT BP,I KNOW WHERE HIS WINERY IS LOCATED,LOVED TO WATCH HIM ON TV,WE'LL ALL MISS HIM. GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY.
Aaron Parsons
February 15, 2007
Hi family.I never got to meet Benny but I was told that he was part of the family by my Dad. He was like a 5th cousin. I always saw him on TV. I wish that I would have talked to him. God Bless all of you.
Gary Dye
January 28, 2007
I was honored to meet Benny back about 1993 in the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. He was promoting his cook book and signed my program for me. It was near closing time and Benny was there next to Tim Flock and Donny Allison. There were only a few people there so I stayed around as long as I could just to hear them chat. I didn't buy one of Benny's cook books but he didn't mind. He gladly signed my program and smiled just the same.
I always enjoyed Benny's restaurant segments on ESPN. It was so original and just him.
My family and I spent 17 years living south of Nashville, Tennessee and were recently fortunate enough to be able to come back close to home where we grew up. It is people like Benny that made us want to come back home after all these years.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Benny. May God bless you all.
The Rasmussen family
January 28, 2007
Racing will never be the same without Benny Parson's! He will be remembered always and will be missed by his thousands of Nascar fans!
John Crisp
January 23, 2007
BP is another from his era who passes the torch to the next generation of drivers. Carry it with the same class and all will be well with the sport.
Evelyn Beshears
January 22, 2007
So sorry for your loss, BP was a man of class!!!!!!!!! Ray & Evelyn Beshears
Richard & Mary Costa
January 22, 2007
An amazing champion and color commentor, you will be missed by all. I only wish we could have met.
Rest in Peace
Jeff & Lori Brodbeck
January 22, 2007
It feels as though we lost a GREAT friend. He made us all SMILE!! He will be missed...and his family will remain in our thoughts and prayers!! God bless you all!
The Brodbeck Family
Leesburg, VA
Joseph Mitchell
January 20, 2007
Benny thanks for memories nascar fans have lost a true leader on an off the track. Thanks for touching so many lives.YOU WILL BE MISSED
Annette
January 20, 2007
I am very sorry for your loss. BP will be missed very much. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. God Bless
John and Dolores Grace
January 19, 2007
Dear Terri and family,
We met Benny down in Homestead,Fl four years ago. He was with Christoper Reeves. They were both "Supermen". We have followed Benny's illness and we were very saddened to hear about his passing. May he rest in peace and have a wonderful reunion with Dale,Neil and Davey!
Barbara Roush
January 19, 2007
Over the last 15 years or so, I had the pleasure of working with Benny both as a sportscaster and a guest for both radio and TV. I still have a photo of Benny and myself next to that yellow roadster he brought to the Daytona 500 one year. All are very special memories. Thank you, Benny and Godspeed.
John Groves
January 19, 2007
My deepest condolences to the family of Mr.Parsons. My wife and I loved to hear him calling the races. He seemed like such a nice gentleman. May the Lord comfort and strengthen you.
Mark & Diane Harbin
January 19, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Parsons family. Benny will be greatly missed.
Jim and Linda Foley
January 19, 2007
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Elaine Council
January 19, 2007
All
of your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Your smiling
face and commentary with NASCAR will be greatly missed. You will always
be remembered by all of us NASCAR fans and drivers, and know that you
were, and are, loved by all.
Deborah and Kenneth
January 19, 2007
Our Thoughts and Prayers go to the Parson's Family. My God Keep you and Bless you in this time of need. Benny will be missed.
Sue Page
January 19, 2007
We have lost another great person in the racing family. He will be sorely missed.
Jennifer Newsome
January 19, 2007
To Benny Parsons family and friends:
My condolences, thoughts and prayers are with you. May the Lord comfort you all at this time of loss. Benny was a great racer and commentator and he will be greatly missed.
RIP Benny Gone But Never Forgotten
jean ohling
January 19, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Dianne Dorton
January 19, 2007
Dear Terri,
Find strength in the memories. Randy and many others that love Benny were there to welcome him home.
Ronnie Logan
January 18, 2007
My sympathy goes out to Benny's family. Benny will be missed alot
especially in and around Nascar in which he help put Nascar where it is today.
Joe Hilburt
January 18, 2007
Benny always had that smile on his face, in his eyes and clearly in his heart. We will miss our Saturday nights or Sunday afternoons with him. Joe Hilburt and Family New Castle, IN.
Dale Pittman
January 18, 2007
A Godly Man
There came a moment and a time
that I can’t even recall the date
that God placed a man into my life
and I begin to see Jesus in Him.
When God placed a Godly Man
named Benny Parsons
into my life through television,
I did not know at
that time, the awesome inspiration that
he would become
to me. I only wished that I could
have had the opportunity
to tell him in person
before God called him home.
Although I never met Benny,
I watched him broadcast many NASCAR races
without prejudice and never heard him
voice a negative comment
about anyone.
I THANK YOU Benny for allowing
one like me to call you a FRIEND AND MENTOR
and a brother in Christ.
I know I am not the only one
who saw Jesus in all that Benny said and done
and this world would be a better place if
WE HAD MORE MEN LIKE BENNY PARSONS!
I know as you crossed that final “Finish Line”
the checkered flags of Heaven waved greatly, and
you were met with open arms
of those that have gone on
before you and most of all, the outstretched arms
Of our Loving Father and I’m sure He voiced
“Welcome Home Benny, my good and faithful servant!”
In tribute to Benny Parsons
By Dale Pittman on January 18, 2007
Big Spring, TX
Connie Hayes-Hodge
January 18, 2007
Terri, Keith, & Kevin...
I am sorry for your loss. I knew your husband and father when I was a small child. My father, Ed Hayes, worked at Holman-Moody and was friends with Benny. Daddy and Benny used to bench-race (talk about racing) all the time. I have many fond memories of "My Uncle Benny" & will miss him.
Brenda Coleman
January 18, 2007
God Bless and keep Benny in his loving hands. God will be looking out for your family Benny. Go be in peace now our friend. The Coleman family Mobile Al.
Kevin Sullivan
January 18, 2007
I will miss you on Sunday during the commentary that you provided for NASCAR races. You were a class act and we all will deeply miss you. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Janet Gann
January 18, 2007
To Benny's family and friends, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. "BP", as he was affectionately called will be missed by all of us. I think there will some racing going on in Heaven. God bless.
Brant Hart
January 18, 2007
Thank you,Benny, for your contributions to NASCAR racing!! You were a class act! My deepest sympathy goes out to the Parsons family. We'll all miss Benny!
Brant Hart
Mix 106.1
Charlotte
Rose Magdziak
January 18, 2007
My prayers for Benny and his family. He will be deeply missed.
God Bless you Champ..
Debi Buchanan
January 18, 2007
My prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Benny was a wonderful man and he leaves behind a great legacy. he will greatly missed by all. May God bless you.
Mary Williams
January 18, 2007
To the Parsons Family
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived. May God bless you and your family in your time of sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rest in Peace Benny. You will be greatly missed.
Deb and Rob Stevenson
January 18, 2007
To the Parsons Family. Our deepest sympothy. You were an Icon that will be missed for years to come. We will remember you for your personallity and the kindness you gave us on race day. Race day will never be the same.
Catherine Mc Manus
January 18, 2007
My sympathy goes out to all of Bennys Family.
Races just wont be the same without
him and his wonderful voice and delightful honest humor.
My GOD BLess you all and know that
Benny will be announcing in Heaven.
Cheryl and Norman st. amour
January 18, 2007
What we saw on TV is what we got, an enthusiastic, energetic analyst and FAN. You gave many people joy - what better gift is there? Your greatest attribute - you never took yourself too seriously.
Evelyn & Richard Maher
January 18, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to the Parsons' family.. Man oh Man what a human being Benny was... We so enjoyed the shows at Volusia Mall during Daytona 500 weeks & most memorable the night my name came up three times (for some reason) on prize drawings during the show... Benny caught the name & said "something strange here" but laughed it off saying shake the barrel again. Our thoughts & prayers for the family & all Benny's racing fans... You will always be remembered, Benny.
Dick & Evelyn Maher Edgewater, Fl
Angel Martin
January 18, 2007
Benny - you will be missed. I always enjoyed watching you on the show. I learned so much from you about NASCAR on your commentating. God bless the Parson family.
Gary Jolly
January 18, 2007
He will be sadly missed here in Michigan,I was racing at the same time as he was,different division,but admired his talents and humble background. God Bless!
Roxanne Kelly
January 18, 2007
How you will be missed by family, friends & fans. We got to know Benny from the old days at Riverside Raceway in California. Always a gentleman. We extend our thoughts & prayers to the entire Parsons family.
Mike & Roxanne Kelly
Georgi Carnicella
January 18, 2007
I met Benny at Volusia Mall a few years ago. I bought some 500 tickets from him and every year after that he called me on my cell to tell me if they were available to make sure I didn't miss the race.
He always said "hey" whenever I saw him. I tried to call him at the beginning of the month to see how he was doin, guess I know now why he didn't answer. He was always so very nice to me.
God Speed Benny, we will miss you.
Rick & Ellen Huntsman
January 18, 2007
Benny, you will be missed. May your memory live on through your family and many fans. God Bless the entire Parson family.
Jimmie Johnson
January 18, 2007
What a fabulous,fabulous man. He won the 1st Daytona 500 I ever attended. It is so sad that he lost his battle with cancer.I loved his commentary and technical observations. I will miss his voice on TV so much.
Sincerely,
Kelly
January 18, 2007
You Sweet Man will be Missed....My Heart & Prayers are with the Family....God Bless
Darryl Strange
January 18, 2007
Kevin, Keith, and Terri.
BP was a great friend, and mentor to me. Over the years I called on him for advice. He was always there when I needed him. It was an honor to call him friend.
Strange Darryl, This was the name he gave me.
John&Sandra Sours
January 18, 2007
Godspeed Benny. We will miss you at the races, & on TV. It won't be the same without you!
Sheila Church
January 18, 2007
Terri and Family,
Our sympathies go out to you in the loss of Benny. You probably won't recognize the name but I worked at Wal-Mart Pharmacy in Concord and my husband was a cousin of Benny's. He remembers him as a wonderful and caring man. God Bless all of you and we will keep you in our prayers.
Jimmy & Donna Cassidy
January 18, 2007
TERRI & FAMILY YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.WE ARE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Cyrus Parsons,Jr. Earnhardt
January 18, 2007
We are so proud of your Life, from another cousin.
BONNIE & DANNY BOONE
January 18, 2007
TERRI& FAMILY, WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR LOSS. WE ENJOYED METTING AND TALKING TO BENNY DURING RACE WEEK. HE WAS TRULY A WONDERFUL PERSON, HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US
brad thomas
January 18, 2007
im very sorry for your loss and nascar has lost another icon my prayers and condolences are with you andthe rest of your family may the good lord bless you
Mac & Dee Wilson
January 18, 2007
peace be with you.
charles fisher
January 18, 2007
A good old friend that had much success but always was the same person. from a super family to a super career and always the gentleman.i will miss him and wish the family a great memory of a truly fine person.hazel be strong...
DL Wilson
January 18, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of one of the greatest Legends in Nascar. Loved watching him race and then commentate later on in his career. He always brought excitement where ever he went. Living in Daytona I enjoyed going to the mall to the radio show and watching Benny at some of his funniest times. He will be so greatly missed. We love you Benny.
Amee Dame
January 18, 2007
Benny was a great Nascar TV commentator and I truly loved to watch him on TV - he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time
daniel,joseph goodrich
January 18, 2007
we are sorry to hear about the passing of mr.parsons i am fan of nascar and all the racers so this is like lossing a family member and he will be missed
kathryn goodrich
January 18, 2007
he will be missed by all that he touched . are prays are with everyone
John Haver
January 18, 2007
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Benny gave so much to the sport of racing. John Haver
Ronald Reagan
January 18, 2007
Rip Benny, I always thought you did a great job,driving or Emceeing. you will be missed by your many fans.
Joanne Carrier
January 18, 2007
He was a prince. There will never be another one like him. He was the best there was in life.
James Dupriest
January 18, 2007
Benny always had such energy and cheerfulness that made people feel good about themselves. My prayers are for the family and may the healing hand of God help you through these times.
Debbie Faircloth
January 18, 2007
Terri:
Your and your family are in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
Debbie Jacobs Faircloth
Paul Johnson
January 18, 2007
You will be sorely missed by all the NASCAR fans from around the world. Race in Peace Benny.
Ann and Paul J.
Tommy and Betty Ruger
January 18, 2007
Dear Terri and family. Our thoughts are with you at this time,
Becky Earley
January 18, 2007
Terri & family,
My thoughts are with you during this time. You probably don't recognize my name, but I was married to Benny's cousin, Mickey Church who died here in Shelby in 1995. I pray that the wonderful love you shared and the memories you have created will bring you comfort during the coming days. Godspeed ..
MJ Cormier
January 18, 2007
I'm going to miss Benny so much, the races will NEVER be the same without him! I'm so sorry for your loss, my prayers and thoughts are with you.
~~MJ~~ ( A Fan )
Vickie Mayberry
January 18, 2007
You will be missed! God bless you!
Dan Stump
January 18, 2007
We had some "GREAT" times at the track and eating at unusual places. Benny will be deeply missed and watching the races on tv will not ever be the same. God bless your family.
Steve Wolf
January 18, 2007
Benny will be really be missed. He was the best. God bless Benny and his family.
Maria Davis
January 18, 2007
My thought and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. The NASCAR community will not be the same without Benny. May God bless you and give you peace and comfort.
Elizabeth L Hall
January 18, 2007
My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Benny will surely be missed during the racing season as well as other times. I will always remember him as a hometown hero, and calling the races, and saying "Man Oh Man". Winning the championship at Rockingham, was one to remember. It put this county on the map! He was a great man, and his memories will always live in our hearts. May God bless each one of you.
Mike Moore
January 18, 2007
Guess alot of people dont know you by this name Benny.
I am PROUD to be the first here.
Ole John Mac better treat you good as he did Dale.
Hope to see you on the "other side".
Wish I could get there and in for the funeral.
Guess I will just have to live on the memories.
Conrad Sutton
January 18, 2007
Thanks for the racing Benny.I will always look for you on the TV. You are an inspiration to us all. God Bless Benny. The place you are has no pain or hate. We will miss you.
Conrad Sutton
Kathy Merrbach
January 18, 2007
I remember watching Benny race when I was a child and as I got older watching him as an announcer. Benny will surely be missed but not forgotten. You all are in my prayers as you go through this.
Wanda Spurlin
January 18, 2007
Rest in Peace, BP. My sympathys go to your family.
jenny franklin
January 18, 2007
I am such a great fan of Benny's. I watched him when I was younger. God bless you and your family.
LINDA WEBSTER
January 18, 2007
I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I SAW BENNY.WE HAD WENT TO THE RACE AT BRISTOL AND WHEN IT WAS OVER.WE HAD TO HURRY AND GET TO THE BUS FOR THE TRIP HOME.YOU KNOW HOW THE CROWD IS AT A RACE.WE KEPT HEARING SOMEONE SAY HERE COMES BENNY.HE WAS IN ONE OF THOSE GOLF CARTS.WHAT SURPRISED ME ABOUT HIM.HE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE IN A HURRY.HE JUST RODE ALONG WITH THE CROWD TALKING AND LAUGHTING WITH THE PEOPLE.JUST LIKE ONE OF US.
WE WILL MISS YOU MY FRIEND.MAY GOD SPEED.
JUST ANOTHER RACE FAN.
Bobby & Aileen Thore
January 18, 2007
I would like to express our condolences to the family of Benny,I have watched him in races &on tv from the 1960s,he will be missed,but is in a better home now with our GOD.
Harold & Deborah Nolish
January 17, 2007
We are very saddened by the passing of such a great human being. Benny Parsons made the racing world what it is today both as a driver and an announcer.He helped many in his career, always willingly. As a loyal race fan family we express our deepest sympathy to the entire Parsons family. Benny has gone to be with Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allision and many other great racing members. They are creating a new race track up in the blue sky above. Harold & Deborah Nolish, Amarillo, TX, formerly Charlotte, NC.
Leann Blasdell
January 17, 2007
May God bless each of you. Your loved one will be missed by many. He gave so much to the sport of racing and we know he will be their guardian angel. A special thankyou for sharing him with all of us, he will be missed more than words can ever say.
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