Ruby Parsons – Fire Commissioner

1993 – 2013

Fire Commissioner Ruby Parsons retired from the Board of Fire Commissioners on October 22, 2013 after 20 years of dedicated service to the people of Teton County, Idaho and the men and women of the Fire District.

Ruby was instrumental in forming the Fire District. In 1993 Ruby began researching how to form a fire district and how to get it on the ballot for vote by the community. By 1996, after 3 years of research and many hours of reading, she and a few others who served on a committee to form a fire district were able to get it on the ballot. Ruby’s primary responsibility on the board was taking care of the finances. Since the Fire District’s formation in 1996 to current day it has operated completely without debt. In 2012 she was awarded, by the Fire District, the Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of service and hard work with the Fire District.

Special Projects/Community Service

For the past several decades, Ruby has been involved in several community projects. She was Chairman of the Board for the Valley of the Tetons Library for 28 years during the time that we were making it into a district and building the library. She is Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Senior Citizens in the valley. She is the Head Chaplain at Teton Valley Hospital. And she served on the Board of Commissioners for the Teton County Fire Protection District since the beginning of the district.

Hometown and Years in Teton Valley

She grew up in Star Valley, Wyoming on a farm, and when her three brothers went off to fight in World War II, she became her Dad’s hired hand. They grew hay and grain and had pigs and milk cows. They did all the farming with horses.

She has lived in Victor for 66+ years and has five children. Two of her boys live in Victor and work for the school district, as well as doing many other things. Her daughter, Mary Faye Tonks, passed away of cancer in December 2001. Her husband, Vernal Parsons, drove a bus and long-haul truck until 1983 when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In January 2002, Vernal passed away after having Multiple Sclerosis for 18 years.

They ran a dairy farm until 1987 when they sold the cows. She also worked in food service and at Grand Targhee resort. She opened the Victor Steak Bank in 1981 and sold it in 1995 to be able to be at home with her husband.

She has become to be known and loved by the members of the Fire District as “Mom”. We thank her for all she has done for the Fire District and wish her well with her future endeavors.