Paul Bartlett Parsons

Paul Bartlett Parsons Sr., 87, born July 23, 1923, passed away August 9, 2010. He was a proud American who served in the United States Army during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and was the recipient of several medals and numerous campaign ribbons. He was the third son of Parker and Ludie Parsons and grew up in the farming community of Dallas, in northwest Georgia. Paul was an avid baseball player in his younger years and even played semipro ball in the Georgia league and later while in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and in the Army Paul joined the CCC in 1939 at the young age of sixteen. After serving two years, he returned home and joined the Army Reserves in 1941. Shortly after his 19th birthday, Paul enlisted in the Regular Army. After completing training, he was assigned to the 949th Field Artillery and deployed to England in preparation for the Normandy Invasion. Paul rode aboard a landing craft from England to the beaches of Normandy attached to the 1st. Infantry Division. He joined Patton’s 3rd Army at the end of July 1944 in Ste. Lo, France shortly before the Battle of the Bulge. He survived the attacking Germans and the bitter cold of the Ardennes only to be taken out of action by an enemy bullet in early March 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal for his distinguished service during this battle. During a move to secure and hold a railhead in North France, newly promoted Tech Sergeant Parsons saw a fellow soldier wounded and lying in the street. He was wounded again while pulling the soldier to safety and after being bandaged by a medic he moved on to engage the enemy again receiving his second Purple Heart. He was evacuated to Paris, France, then to England and back to the United States where he was discharged and returned to civilian life. Paul reentered the Army during the Korean Conflict and spent time at various duty stations where he again saw combat in Vietnam. He retired as a Master Sergeant with 25 years of honorable military service and spent 20 more years in Civil Service at Fort Bliss. His personal awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with cluster, Army Commendation medal with cluster, Good Conduct Medal with 6 clusters, European Theater Medal with 3 bronze battle stars, American Campaign Medal, European Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Paul and his wife Renate have resided in Northeast El Paso for many years and are charter members of New Hope Lutheran Church where Paul served as a devoted member of the church council. Paul is a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the National Association of Uniformed Services, the AARP Sundowners and the Northeast Association. He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife Bernice and his brothers, Dorcy, Kendal, Marshal and sister Rita. He is survived by his wife Renate of 30 years and his son Paul Parsons Jr. and wife Debbie of Houston TX, Renate’s sons Michael St.Clair of Denver CO and Kenneth St.Clair and wife Michele of Carlsbad, CA and daughter Lisa and husband Mark Harder of Junction City, KS and 20 grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins in Georgia. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Thursday, August 12, 2010 at Sunset Funeral Home-Northeast. Graveside Service will be at 10:00 am, Friday, August 13, 2010 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to PMH Auxillary La Mariposa Hospice, 1250 Cliff Ste. 5E, El Paso, TX 79902. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast.