F. Wayland Parsons, 98, passed away at home in Pismo Beach with his family at his side. He leaves behind his children, Anita (and son-in-law James Merriman), Lauren, and Ross; grandsons Colt and Sparky; sister Georganne Thomsen; nephews Christopher, Peter, Lance & Mark Thomsen and their families: nieces Phyllis Price and Erica Thomsen-Friedman and their families; and life-long friends. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Lucille B. Parsons.
Born in Glendale, California in 1922, Wayland graduated from Hoover H.S. in 1940 and began college at the University of Redlands, pursuing a degree in education. In 1942, he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific during WWII. After the war, he returned to finish college at Redlands, where he met his future wife, Lucille Tuchfarber Bridgers.
After graduating with their teaching degrees, Wayland and Lucille married in 1948, beginning careers in education, and then beginning a family in Glendale. Wayland worked in the Glendale Unified School District for nearly forty years, as a teacher, a principal, and an administrator. He attended night school at USC to earn his doctorate degree, and served as Deputy Superintendent until his retirement. Family vacations were often spent boating on lakes of the Colorado River with friends the Daniels, Carnahans and Gardners, and holidays were celebrated with his sister’s family, the Thomsens.
Wayland and Lucille spent their retirement enjoying their home, friends and family, traveling around the country in their motorhome, and seeing the world on cruises to cities in Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Panama Canal. They also enjoyed continuing education in music and arts appreciation.
His warmth, wisdom and humor will be missed. Donations in Wayland’s memory can be made to the Student Conservation Association (https://www.thesca.org).
