LtCol R. Marc Parsons, USMC (Ret)

R. Marc Parsons, 64, of Mechanicsburg, passed away at his residence, surrounded by family, on Saturday, October 26, 2024. He was the son of the late Richard D. and Elizabeth A. (Painter) Parsons, born on November 28, 1959, in Harrisburg.

Marc was a 1977 graduate of Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School and would go on to further his education and serve his country in the United States Marine Corps. He maintained dual enrollment at the University of Houston and Rice University on an ROTC scholarship, and would graduate in 1982 from U of H. During this time, he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity and was a member of the Texas State Guard. After graduation he attended Officer Candidates School for the United States Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. His first tour of duty was with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion in Hawaii. At the end of this tour, he changed his specialty to logistics. Moving back to Houston in 1986, he became an officer recruiter at R.S. Houston and was then promoted to second in command. The following year, he met his future wife on a blind date and eventually married on July 22, 1989. The couple then welcomed a baby girl before Marc’s service took them to Okinawa, Japan in 1990. While overseas, Marc deployed during Desert Storm. A year after his return, their family expanded again and welcomed a baby girl. Now a family of four, they would relocate to Wilmington, NC, in 1993, where he would become Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Reserve Unit. He also served his community as the Toys for Tots local program manager. Next was Hurricane, WV, where Marc became the Commanding Officer of R.S. Charleston. In 1997, the couple welcomed their third child—a little boy. After recruiting duty, Marc went on to the Command and Staff College at Quantico where he earned a Master of Military Studies (MMS) Degree. From there, they moved to Stuttgart, Germany, for three years where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics at HQ Marine Corps Forces Europe. His time with the military would then conclude with a joint billet in New Cumberland. He would retire in 2005 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Not known to sit still for long, Marc began employment with DLA in New Cumberland a year after he retired. He would ultimately retire—for good this time—in 2021.

Despite a rigorous schedule and commitment to his country, Marc was a devoted husband and father who made it a priority to be present in his family’s lives. He coached his kids’ sports teams and was a past president of the Upper Allen Mechanicsburg Baseball Association. He was a man of faith, growing up in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Mechanicsburg, and always exemplified integrity and loyalty. His deadpan sarcastic humor was ever-present, lightening the tension in any situation. Despite the deck being stacked against him health-wise these past several years, he never gave up and showed tremendous courage daily. He was a great storyteller, but it’s a shame most aren’t appropriate for public print. If he had any spare time, he could be found on the golf course or at The Mechanicsburg Club. His unique personality and big heart will forever resonate in those who knew him best. The sentiments shared most frequently by friends and colleagues spoke volumes: “he was a great man,” and “he could never know just how many lives he touched.” 

Surviving is his loving wife of 35 years, Michelle (Evans) Parsons; his children, Heather Parsons (Broc), Brittany Parsons and Brendan Parsons; a brother and sister, Mike Parsons and Nettie Parsons; brother-in-law, John Evans; and a niece, RaeAnn Parsons.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30PM on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 8 East Keller Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. A time of fellowship and refreshment will immediately follow in the church’s social hall. Interment in Arlington National Cemetery will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Marc’s name to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org or Toys for Tots at www.toysfortots.org.