David Allen Parsons

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – David Allen Parsons, 76, of Brownsville, Texas, passed away on Friday, the 12th of June 2026. He was born in Huntington, West Virginia on November 12, 1949, to the late Leona (Freeman) Hysell and William Hysell (stepfather).

David was the youngest of three children and attended East Huntington High School in West Virginia where he participated in the wrestling team. After high school, he attended electrical school in Ohio and later joined the United States Navy. He served on the USS Decatur (DDG 31) during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971. During his service he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal (first bronze star). He would go on to serve his country for a total of 23 years until his retirement from the U.S. Navy.

David worked for International Harvester for eight years before relocating south, when he accepted a job with General Motors Litetek, a maquiladora located in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He enjoyed his work there as a Quality Engineer and quickly embraced the culture and customs of the South Texas border region. He appreciated the local history and took an interest in Brownsville’s founding families, especially those buried in the Old City Cemetery. David compiled a record of 160 years of names, dates, birth and death locations, causes of death, death certificates and obituaries. He was especially proud of creating an index of obituaries from The Brownsville Herald from 1977 to present.

After retiring from GM Motors, he became Education and Membership Coordinator for the Brownsville Historical Association, where he applied his extensive genealogy experience. In his last ten years with the association, he worked to place gravestone markers on all veterans’ graves within the Old City Cemetery. David will be remembered for his devoted military service, dedication to local history, and lasting contributions to the Brownsville community.

He is survived by his siblings, Robert Parsons and Nancy (Parsons) Jordan; his beloved nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Graveside Service with military honors will be held at eleven o' clock in the morning on Thursday, the 18th of June 2026 at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville. Immediately following, a reception will be held at a venue to be announced during the service.

Honored to serve as his pallbearers are Saul Collazo, Juan Duran, Richard Garza, Rolando Garza, Joey Longoria III, and Juan Velez. Honorary pallbearers are Dennis Acosta, Rudy de la Garza, Larry Holtzman, Eric Gonzales, and Lawrence Lof.

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, contributions in David’s honor can be made to the Brownsville Historical Association, 1325 E. Washington Street, Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 541-5560 (www.brownsvillehistory.org).

Memories of David may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey, CFSP and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.