JAMES H. PARKER JR.
Dec. 19, 1925-Oct. 4, 2010
ALBERTSON -- James Henry Parker Jr., 84, 106 Parker Lane, Outlaw's Bridge community in Albertson, passed away Monday evening at Lenoir Memorial Hospital.
Following his high school graduation in 1943 from B.F. Grady High School, Mr. Parker served during World War II in the Merchant Marines.
After his service tour, he returned home to resume farming, something that would encircle his being for the rest of his life.
For more than 60 years, he was a tobacco auctioneer, and had the distinction of having auctioned more than one billion pounds of tobacco during his career. His auctioneering abilities allowed him the privilege of conducting auctions in every state in which tobacco auctions are held. In addition, in the '50s and '60s, he was both a buyer and auctioneer on the Faison Produce Market.
In Kentucky, he was made to be an honorary member of The Order of The Kentucky Colonels. "The Colonel" was an entrepreneur, having operated and serving as past president of Outlaw's Bridge Industries.
He was instrumental in the organization of the Albertson Public Water System, and was an avid supporter of community functions and benefits. The place, Outlaw's Bridge and Sheep Pasture Road, was good to him, and no matter where his travels took him, his Outlaw's Bridge home was waiting his return.
A longtime member and past deacon of Albertson Missionary Baptist Church, "The Colonel" enjoyed his long tenure of membership in the Albertson Ruritan Club. He was a member of Mount Olive Masonic Lodge 208 A.F. & A.M. with more than 50 years of service, was a York Rite member and a Shriner. He was also a member of the Maxwell's Mill Post of the American Legion.
Though he retired from active farming engagements at the age of 82, he continued to entertain his life-long farming passion by talking "the farming talk" with area farming friends, and by occasional visits to places of his past.
"The Colonel" is survived by his wife of 60 years, Melba Cannon Parker of the home; his children, James Henry "Jimmy" Parker III and wife, Darlene, of Nashville, Ga., Jean P. Stowers and husband, Jack, of Pine Level and Joseph Wright Parker and wife, Kaye, of Seven Springs; eight grandchildren, Justina P. Smith, Janelle Parker, James Henry Parker IV, Jessica Outlaw, Jennifer Bare, Joshua Outlaw, Amos Wright Parker and Joseph Jackson Parker; seven stepgrandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Henry Parker and Annie Simmons Outlaw Parker; two sisters, Viola P. Sutton and Helen P. Jones; and a brother, Louis Outlaw Parker, and accordingly, he is also survived by their families.
In lieu of flowers and because of Mr. Parker's giving nature, his family prefers that memorial gifts be made to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, with pastor Steve Grissom officiating. Interment will follow at Wayne Memorial Park.
Masonic rites and military honors will both be included in the committal rites.
The family will receive friends today, Oct. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home, and at the residence at other times.
A Tyndall service.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 6, 2010 1:48 PM