James Erwin Parker

Jim was born on September 16, 1927 and grew up in Frisco, Texas. He was a son, a brother, a husband, and a father. He and his wife, Rita Nell Drumm Parker, were married for 63 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Erwin Parker, his mother, Vyola Mae Young Parker, his sister Margaret (Peggy) Bonner, and his brother Kenneth Haynes.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Rita, and his son, James E. Parker II.

In high school in Frisco, he was the team quarterback and kicker and was likely to become his class’s valedictorian. However, he dropped out of high school when he turned 17 to join the Navy to fight in World War II and later in the Korean War. He ended up serving 9 years in the Navy and was a gunner and bombardier in the torpedo bomber, known as the TBF Avenger.

Jim was a jack-of-all-trades: After the Navy he spent time in South America/Venezuela as a "doodlebugger" in oil exploration. He went to electronics school and worked at a radio station. He opened a TV and appliance store in Garland, Texas. He bought a distributorship in a golf range equipment company sold, installed, and maintained golf equipment. (He loved golf and was quite good -- almost a scratch player in his prime -- and was the proud owner of two holes-in-one.) He went to jeweler’s school and learned to repair and make jewelry. He loved to woodwork and could build and fix anything. His masterpiece was a hand-made seven-foot grandfather clock that he completed the age of 82.

Jim was a proud Mason and took pride in the brotherhood’s service to others. He was honest and kind. He was hardworking and patient. He had an opinion about everything and was not shy about sharing it. He had a stubbornness and tenacity that made him cling to and accomplish so much during his long life despite the many dire warnings and predictions of a short one – rheumatic fever, two wars, a sinking ship, a plane crash, a pack-a-day habit, two heart attacks, and more.When his heart valve failed in his 80’s he researched and signed up for an experimental, artificial heart-valve replacement. Giving up was never an option for him.

He lived a life of honor in service to his country and his family. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.