Douglas Van Ness Parsons ’38

Doug Parsons died Nov. 22, 1997, after a long illness, at his home in Darlington, S.C. He was 81.

Doug prepared at Pawling School. At Princeton he majored in history. His father Argyll R. '05, was a founding partner of the Douglas Elliman real estate firm, where Doug worked before becoming an aviation cadet.

During WWII, he served in Australia and New Guinea, flying P-39s on 236 combat missions and became executive officer of the 35th Fighter Group. He came home as a major, decorated with the Purple Heart and clusters on both the DFC and Air Medal.

In 1945 he married Monte Hyatt Nicholson, who drew him to South Carolina. He worked for Capitol Airlines, in the garment industry, and in cattle farming, but thereafter operated an employment services business until 1981. He helped establish the Republican party as

a vibrant alternative party in South Carolina. A lifelong Episcopalian, Doug was trustee, vestryman and junior and senior warden at Sr. Matthew's Church, sang in the choir, and served on many committees. In his memory an endowed scholarship fund has been established at St. Matthew's.

Doug is survived by his widow, daughters Monte and Amey P. Lewis, four grandchildren, one great-grandson, a brother, Ralph '37, and a sister. The class extends its sympathy to the entire family.