Lyndonville honors the late Col. Rick Parsons

1962 grad was first from Lyndonville to attend U.S. Air Force Academy

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The family of the late Rick Parsons, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, holds a banner with his portrait.

From left include Parsons’ daughter Penn Grow, son Rustin Parsons, wife Nancy (Custer) Parsons, and Maj. James Plummer, retired from the U.S. Air Force. Parsons’ wife served as honorary grand marshal of the parade. She is a Lyndonville grad and she and her husband were high school sweethearts.

Parsons was the first Lyndonville grad to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. He graduated in 1966 and then served in the military for a 26-year career, including two tours in Vietnam, and a pivotal role as commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He logged over 5,000 flight hours in his career in the T-38, F-4, F-15 and F-16.

While the flag was raised the national anthem was sung by Kayleen Sanchez and Joanna Folman. The 914th Air Refueling Wing of the U.S.A.F.  from Niagara Falls had four soldiers serving as honor guard during the parade with one raising the flag in Parsons’ honor.

Under his leadership, the 33rd TFW(P) achieved remarkable success, said Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion in Lyndonville. Parsons led a unit that recorded 16 combat kills, the most of any allied unit. That earned Parsons the distinction of being the only wing commander to achieve an aerial victory during Desert Storm.

“Beyond his military achievements, Rick was a devoted husband, father and grandfather,” Goodrich said.

Parsons passed away at age 77 on May 25, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion in Lyndonville, is at left while Lynne Johnson, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, reads a proclamation in honor of Parsons’ distinguished career. The offices of Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt also presented citations in honor of Parsons being picked as honorary grand marshal.

Just before the hour-long parade a military flyover passed over Lyndonville. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. The flyover was at about noon. Mackenzie Poynter sent in this photo of the plane passing over Route 63, just south of the village.