Tom was born February 23, 1943, in Mitchell, SD, to Byron and Vera Parsons. He lived his childhood in Woonsocket, SD. Tom attended school in Woonsocket, SD, and Lemmon SD.

In 1960, Tom joined the US Navy where he traveled the world sailing and serving in the Pacific on the USS Pine Island until his honorable discharge in 1964. After he was discharged, he returned to South Dakota where he continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until 1966.

He met the love of his life, Patricia Romereim, in Rapid City, SD, and they were married in February of 1965. After starting their family in Rapid City, they moved to Douglas, WY, where they would spend the next 40 years working and raising their two daughters. There, Tom began his long career in advertising specialties. He and Patricia would eventually return to Rapid City where he lived until his death.

Tom was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and hunter and enjoyed sharing that with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a marksman and used his skill to teach youth rifle clubs. He was never happier than when he was in the field pheasant hunting with his trusted and much-loved dog & sidekick, Bowser, his black lab. He had a love for firearms and was an avid gun collector and a lifetime member of the NRA. He was also a dedicated fisherman and enjoyed fly fishing in Rapid Creek, as well as fishing from a boat on the ocean or at the lake.

Tom Byron Parsons died Friday, August 25, 2017, at the Department of Veteran Affairs, Fort Meade, SD.

He is survived by his loving wife and life partner of 52 years, Patricia Parsons; his daughters, Victoria Stroup (Timothy) and Anne Duda, (Mike Sandidge). He has three grandchildren, Katelyn (Stroup) Kolb (Adam), Thomas Stroup (Stephanie Ellis) and Michael Duda; and one great-granddaughter, Melinda Jane Stroup.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Vera Parsons; brother, Dean Parsons; and his sister, Jane (Parsons) Roth.

Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 29, 2017, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

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