February 20, 2016
Jeffrey "Jeff" Wayne Parsons, 58, of San Francisco, passed away February 20, 2016 at California Pacific Medical Center after long struggles with diabetes and related illnesses. Jeff was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to San Francisco in the late 1980s. His mother, Ann; his brother, Jim and wife, Karen; his sister Sue; and his sister-in-law, Judy, all survive, along with many aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces. Jeff was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald, and his father, Wendell. Jeff was employed as a budget manager for the Hearst Corporation at the San Francisco Chronicle since 1991.
Jeff received much pleasure from the sporting world both as a player and a spectator. For many years he was a member and avid supporter of the San Francisco Gay Softball League. Jeff was a player for the Pilsner Penguins team and it didn't take many seasons before he advanced into the role of coach and team manager. Annual team "Fun-Raisers," as Jeff liked to call them, were a favorite event of his and he loved being the emcee of these events. He seized those opportunities to recruit new players by sharing his special brand of enthusiasm with everyone in attendance usually saying, "You don't have to have BIG talent, to have BIG fun!" Jeff also served as treasurer on the SFGSL Board of Directors from 2008-2012 and was truly proud of representing the league in that manner. Jeff was also a member of the San Francisco Community Bowling League and the Tavern Guild League for several years. One could also find Jeff awake at haphazard hours of the day so he could tune in and watch International Football League matches.
Jeff enjoyed a wide variety of music, and in his younger days, you could find Jeff dancing at the South of Market clubs. Jeff also had a special place in his heart for the songs of Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Bette Midler, and Patti LuPone. Most recently, Jeff enjoyed going to both the San Francisco Symphony and ballet as often as possible and was a season ticket holder for many years.
Jeff refreshed himself with traveling. He participated in tournaments across the country for both softball and bowling, and spent many vacations abroad visiting friends. He spoke fondly of his experiences in Italy, Germany, and Spain and tried to partake in everything these places had to offer. He also shared what he had here in SF and regularly opened his home to friends at the holidays so everyone had a place to go for comfort, good food, and a sense of family.
Jeff did not suffer fools gladly and if he had a life slogan, it would probably be what many have heard him say, "Be good, or be good at it!"
Cremation services were held by the Neptune Society of Northern California and ashes were scattered off the Marin County coast in a private ceremony. Suggestions for memorial donations include the San Francisco Bowlers Emergency Aid Relief: Attn: Carol Hull, 214 Steiner Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 and the American Diabetes Foundation (http://www.diabetes.org or 1-800-Diabetes).