Neil Lyn Parsons

December 10, 1957 - February 16, 2017

“Happily Enduring to the End” Neil Lyn Parsons (59) died on February 16, 2017 of cancer in the American Fork, UT Hospital in room 157. He was born in the year 1957, December 10th, in Hanford, CA as the 2nd of four sons to Robert Otis Parsons and Lorraine Margaret Kelley. He and his brothers (Glen, Brent, and Eric) loved growing up on “the farm”, his parent’s 40 acre walnut orchard. His father mentored and nurtured his love of mechanics. His brothers shared his love of music, guitars, and auto mechanics. He enjoyed earning money in high school as the lead guitarist in his band. After graduating from Hanford High School, he studied at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA for a year. He then went to the Netherlands on a two-year mission teaching others of the joy that he found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He continued his education studying Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University and was hired at Hughes Aircraft as a program designer. He explained his job to his children by saying, “It’s my job to make sure the satellites are smart enough to get to space and then stay in space.” He moved to Palos Verdes, CA where he met his beautiful wife Tamara Janette Strawn. The two shared many adventures, many road trips, many camping trips, and many hours sailing their catamaran into the sunset. Their love and affection for each other was an inspiration. He received his Master’s Degree in Engineering at California State University Northridge. He passed on his love of music to his six children: Brittany (31), Randi (29), Derek (28), Travis (26), Rory (22) and Dylan (8). He acquired his love of soccer while embracing the culture of the Dutch people while on his mission. He shared this love by coaching and being a referee with the American Youth Soccer Association while raising his family in Lakewood, California. He supported his children through his leadership and participation in the Mayfair High School Vocal and Soccer Booster Clubs. After working at Sun Microsystems for 15 years, Tammy and Neil moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah where he briefly worked at Oracle until he found his dream job at BYU. He loved returning to BYU to work as the Systems Administrator of the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Testing Center. His passion for auto mechanics and classic cars was obvious as his collection grew and changed throughout the years. His collection has included a Manta Mirage, a convertible Mustang, Volkswagon Squareback, 1959 Austin Healey Bug-Eye Sprite, 1972 Volkswagon Bus, 1973 Chevy Suburban, 1969 Triumph Spitfire, 1965 Corvair Monza, 1965 Jeep Willys, 1950 Chevy Delux, and 1971 Norton Comando 750. He used his talents and laid-back personality to help many people in his various leadership roles at church. His influence spanned many circles because of his many talents, interests, knowledge, and genuine love for people. His positivity was infectious and even until the end he was continuously joking, telling one nurse to “Live long and prosper!” As he describes himself on Facebook, he lived his life, “Happily enduring to the end.” He is a peacemaker. Now at rest. As he reminded us often, “No one gets out of this life alive!" Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 20, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Grove Creek 5th Ward Chapel, 475 North 700 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah, where a Visitation will be held prior to services from 9:00 to 10:30 am. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 9:00 am at the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery, 600 North 100 West, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.