SALISBURY - Howard James Parsons died Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Born in Salisbury, he was the son of the late Lester Parsons and Della Mae Truitt Parsons. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Moose Lodge 564 and Eagles Lodge. He worked in construction for over 45 years, retiring in 2002. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Henrietta Mattie Brittingham Parsons; four children, Richard James Parsons, of Salisbury; Joyce Ann Cross, of Ocean Pines; Steve Allen Parsons, of Pittsville; and Mark Wayne Parsons, of Salisbury; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Anna Mae Melson, of Pittsville. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Parsons and Richard Parsons; and a sister, Betty Jean Grant. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at the Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury. Interment was at Pittsville Cemetery.