Squire Parsons Jr., a native of West Virginia and longtime southern gospel singer, died May 5. He was 77.
Parsons’ father, who was a choir director and deacon at his church, taught his son how to sing using shaped notes.
Parsons held a bachelor of science degree in music from West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery, where he was trained on the piano and bassoon, and received an honorary doctorate from the university in 1999.
After graduating from college, he taught at Hannan High School in Mason County, West Virginia, and served as music director of various churches.
Known for his baritone voice
He began singing southern gospel music professionally when he joined the Calvarymen Quartet in 1969 before he graduated from college. He went on to sing with The Kingsmen, where he served as the baritone for the quartet. His voice became the standard for several songs, including “It Made News In Heaven,” “Hello Mama,” “The Lovely Name Of Jesus,” “I’ve Got A Reservation,” “Master Of The Sea” and “Look For Me At Jesus’ Feet.”
Parsons focused on a solo ministry in 1979. He is known for writing several songs, including “Sweet Beulah Land,” “He Came To Me,” “The Broken Rose,” “The Greatest Of All Miracles,” “I’m Not Giving Up,” “I Sing Because” and “I Call It Home.”
He was ordained as a minister in 1979 at his home church, Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina.
Parsons also worked with Squire Parsons & Redeemed (1984–1991) and The Squire Parsons Trio (1995–2009). He appeared during a Billy Graham Crusade in Arkansas and performed with the Gaither Homecoming Choir.
Received multiple honors
“Sweet Beulah Land” was voted song of the year in 1981 by readers of Singing News Magazine, where he was voted favorite baritone (1986–1987), favorite male singer (1988) and favorite songwriter (1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995).
He received a Dove Award nomination in 1999 for contributing to a Dottie Rambo tribute album.
Parsons was inducted in the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He had also been inducted in the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000 as a former member of The Kingsmen.
Parsons retired from traveling in 2019 and only made limited appearances after that.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
