OXFORD — Richard M. Parsons, 89, of Oxford passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 13, at his residence with his family at his side.

Richard was born in Portland on Jan. 11, 1928, the son of Clarence L. and Edith Adelma (Gatchell) Parsons. He was educated in South Paris schools and graduated from Paris High School in 1946.

He proudly served his country in the Army National Guard for 21 years.

In 1951, Richard went to work at Ripley and Fletcher Auto Dealership and served as its service manager until 1984. He later went to work at Longley’s in Norway for more than 25 years. He had also previously worked at the Norway Shoe Shop and the Corn Shop.

A longtime member of the Grace Fellowship in Oxford, Richard also served as its assistant pastor. He also ran a bus ministry in Lenox, Mass., which was the largest Sunday school program in the Northeast.

He was also an avid New York Giants and Yankees fan.

He married Inez Baird on Jan. 11, 1998.

Richard is predeceased by his first wife, Elinor Parsons; two sons, Brian and Edwin; and a grandson, Justin Telles.

Surviving are his wife of Oxford; three sons, Rick and his wife, Diana, of South Paris, David and his wife, Deb, of Estero, Fla., and Scott and his wife, Cathy, of Otisfield; two stepsons, Harry Smith and wife, Donna, of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Joseph Smith and wife, Sharon, of Marlboro, Mass.; a stepdaughter, Stephanie Telles of Rochester, N.H.; a sister, Jacqueline Edwards of New Hampshire; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.