Duncan A. Parsons

Abingdon, VA- Duncan Allen Parsons, Abingdon, Va., beloved husband of Charlotte, died Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, following a courageous battle with leukemia. He was 59. Duncan grew up in Wolfeboro, NH, where he developed a love of nature. His father took him and his brothers on annual ski trips, one of many activities in his close knit family. Duncan loved learning about other places and cultures. Between high school and college, he travelled around Europe and the Middle East, becoming especially fond of Spain and exotic Istanbul. Travel led to an undergraduate degree in geography from the University of New Hampshire. Later he obtained a master’s degree in library science from Simmons College. This career choice connected to another passion, reading and education. In 1995, he met Charlotte, and they married in 1997. He moved to Abingdon and became Dean of the Library at Northeast State Community College in Blountville, TN. In 2002, he was honored as Outstanding Administrator of the Year. All who knew Duncan and Charlotte thought of them as a great couple, with his calm reserve complementing her exuberance. They took up many of his interests, including skiing, travel and motorcycle riding. Trips to New Hampshire, to visit family and stay at “the camp”, were always a joy. Sharing good food and drink was one of Duncan’s greatest pleasures. He often recalled special dishes his mother made, enjoyed planning meals with Charlotte and trying new beer or cuisines with friends. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday. He loved movies, medieval history, music, mountains and hiking. He was frequently seen on the Creeper Trail, knew all the trails in Grayson Highlands, and did not consider a summer to be complete without at least one trip to Pisgah National Forrest. Duncan was an introvert, but he was an introvert who liked people. He was always sincere and considerate, and he made friends in every situation in which he was placed. He loved to laugh and would often laugh until he cried. Much of the time in his last months was spent at Duke Hospital. He endured his illness with remarkable stoicism and equanimity. He became interested in his caregivers and acknowledged their assistance. During his illness, his brothers, despite their living so far away, were of great assistance and comfort to Duncan. Duncan’s time, and his time with us, was far too short. It is some consolation to remember that his well lived was filled with love, meaning and purpose. Duncan was preceded in death by his mother, Suzanne Allen Parsons. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Lewis Parsons, his father Douglas Parsons, two brothers, David and Andrew, his sister Lynn, all of New Hampshire and stepdaughter Rachel Lewis of Washington, D.C. Saturday, September 27, 2014 a service to celebrate his life will be held at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, 136 Main St., Abingdon, VA. Visitation starts at 2:30 and the service is at 4 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Duncan A. Parsons Scholarship Fund, Northeast State Community College. Donations may be sent to the Northeast State Foundation, P.O. Box 246, Blountville, TN, 27617-0246. Please indicate the scholarship on the memo line of the check. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Duncan Allen Parsons is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).