Jewell "Jay" Parsons, 85, of Denton, died Saturday, July 12, 2008 at his home.  He was born on November 17, 1922 in Hatfield, AR to Evan and Ophelia (Carter) Parsons.  He was the youngest of 11 children.  He served in the U S Army during WWII from January 13, 1943 to Aug. 29, 1945. From there Jay went to work as a trimmer at an upholstery shop in Corpus Christi, TX   In 1946-1947 he started his own upholstery business.  He moved his family to Concord, California where he continued his business.  The family returned to Texas in 1967, settling in Denton where in 1968 he opened Jay's Upholstery.  His son Audie started learning from his father at the age of 8 and continues to run Jay's Upholstery.

A funeral service will be held at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 in the chapel of Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton, with

James Vinzant, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery.  The family will be at the Funeral Home for visitation from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.  Pallbearers will be Lamar Parsons, Adam Parsons, Joshua Parsons, Jeremy Burton, John Wigiert, and Jason Good. Memorials may be made to Ann's Haven Hospice, VNA, 501 S. Carroll Ste. 201, Denton, TX 76201.

Mr. Parsons is survived by his wife of 24 years, Kathleen Parsons of Denton; his children Jerry Parsons of Rockport, TX, Lamar Parsons of Suisun City, CA, Janell Parsons of Denton, and Audie Parsons of Denton; a brother Lloyd Parsons of San Diego, CA;

thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son Jimmy Parsons of San Antonio, TX.