David George Parsons Jr.

1951 - 2025

David George Parsons, Jr.
April 1, 1951 - May 6, 2025
David George Parsons, Jr. passed away on May 6 at the age of 74, remembered for a life grounded in compassion, intellect, and a contrarian spirit.
Born April 1, 1951 to David Parsons and Chelma Holt Parsons, David was raised in Texarkana, Texas.
In the late 1960s, during the early days of school desegregation, David launched a student-led tutoring program for Black children while in high school. The effort soon grew to include a summer camp session, Camp Friendship, in Athens, Texas. David rallied local businesses and church families for donations, even turning his home into a makeshift supply store run by his mother to outfit campers.
After earning a master's in philosophy from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at UT, he spent 18 years as a Portfolio Manager at USAA Investment Management in San Antonio. He was a dedicated volunteer with the SAMM Shelter, leading overnight teams from work and several local Presbyterian churches.
David embraced a new calling as a Philosophy and Business instructor at community colleges in San Antonio, and later in Virginia. Beloved by students, David offered extra tutoring and support, always cheering on the underdog.
During his 13 years in Virginia, David discovered new joys-hiking, biking and playing bridge.
David met Debbie Dodson at Austin College and spirited conversation and debate were the hallmark of their courtship that continued throughout their marriage and family life. David's greatest devotion was to his family, and he saw his most important role as protecting, providing for, and guiding his cherished daughters, Molly and Libby.
In 2019, David was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinson's, and he and Debbie returned to San Antonio for retirement. Thanks to the support of family, friends, and the devoted care of Martin Robert, David's wish to remain at home until the end was fulfilled.
He is preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Patricia. He is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughters Molly and Libby; future son-in-law Thomas Filardo; brother Holt (Teensy) Parsons; sisters-in-law Donna Dodson and Marian Lokey; and four nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service: May 16, 2025, 2:00 p.m., University Presbyterian Church, San Antonio and will be livestreamed at youtube.com/@UniversityPresbyterianChurchSA
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to SAMM Shelter at samm.org or John Knox Ranch at johnknoxranch.org, the Presbyterian camp that helped shape his daughters to be the compassionate, spiritual adults they are.