Ralph "Sonny" L. Parsons, Jr.

Ralph “Sonny” Parsons Jr. passed away on March 3, 2026. Born on June 7, 1936, the only child of the late Bessie and Ralph Parsons Sr.

Sonny was a farmer who became a businessman in 1967 after his mother’s death. Later, he owned R. L. Parsons Equipment Company Inc., which is currently in its 97th year of business.

Sonny enjoyed sports. In high school, he played football and baseball. Otterbein College is where he went to play football. However, contracting Bulbar polio ended that dream. Later, golf and tennis were the sports he participated in as a pastime.

Faith was important to Sonny. He studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained as a Permanent Deacon (1985) in the Catholic Church, serving the Columbus Diocese and assigned to the parish of Saints Simon and Jude (West Jefferson).

Sonny met his bride, Mary Thompson (deceased), in London. They married on October 12, 1953. They were married for 68 years and raised three children.

Sonny is survived by children: Ralph Parsons III (Meschelle), Janet Lohr, and Julie Walker (Harold). Grandchildren: Aprile Riggs (Joe), Ralph “Tab” Parsons IV (Leigh), Nicholas Lohr, Danielle Myers (Andy), Jesse Lohr (Nicole), Catherine Jarvis (Jay), Eric Walker (Jessica), and Daniel Walker, 22 great-grandchildren,1 great-great-granddaughter, and brother-in-law Larry Thompson (Tim Knight). Predeceased by in-laws Lawrence and Myrtle Thompson.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026, at SAINTS SIMON & JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 9350 High Free Pike, West Jefferson, OH 43162, where his Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation hours and be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. MONDAY. Sonny will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Mary, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery immediately after the Mass.

Please visit www.radermcdonaldtiddfuneralhome.com to share your favorite memories and to send your condolences to Sonny’s family.