Thomas William Parsons

Tom Parsons, America's travel expert and CEO of Best Fares, passed away peacefully after long illness, Sunday, 12/3/17 at 67. Graveside Service: Burial service will be held Wednesday, 12/13/17 at 2PM at Dallas-Ft Worth National Cemetery (Lane 2), 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX. Tom attended Penn State University, drafted into the US Army and deployed to Vietnam where he earned a Purple Heart. Tom parleyed his military intelligence background into finding ways to save people money when travelling. He started writing Best Fares magazine in 1982 which quickly became the traveler's bible. Tom coined phrases like "hidden cities, alternate airports and back-to-back tickets." Airlines feared him and consumers loved him because he saved them millions of dollars. For over 40 years, Tom was the go-to travel expert. Appeared on shows like Oprah, The View, Good Morning America, Today Show and Larry King. Tom was on at least 70 TV/ radio shows weekly and quoted in national/ local newspapers and magazines all over the United States for decades. He frequently appeared locally on WFAA, KXAS, KTVT, KDFW, KRLD, Dallas Morning News and Ft Worth Star Telegram. He was easily recognized by his warm smile and Hawaiian shirts. Tom was preceded in death by parents, Thomas Parsons II and Margie (John) Harman and brother, Johnny Parsons. Survivors: Tom is survived by his three children, Stephanie, Michael and Bryan Parsons, grandson, Ian and siblings, Randy Parsons, Andrew and Lisa Harman. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233