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Gerald Otis Parker © Enid News and Eagle 11-24-2015 Submitted by: Glenn
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Gerald Otis Parker Sr., 75, of Garber, passed away on Nov. 21, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid. The service is under the direction of Dugger Funeral Home. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Tom Legrand officiating. Burial will follow at Garber Cemetery. Viewing began on Monday, Nov. 23.
He was born to Charlie and Donna (Smith) Parker on May 28, 1940, at their home in Garber. As a young boy, Gerald delivered the Enid newspaper and mowed the Garber football field, baseball field and the Garber Cemetery with his brother, Dickie. Gerald had a passion for sports and as a child, he played baseball. He was a strong and dedicated ballplayer. In high school, he was a member of the state runner up baseball team in 1958 who, at the time, held the world record for consecutive wins at 33. He was also an All-State alternate. Upon graduation, Gerald played baseball for Phillips University.
In 1960, after attending Phillips University, Gerald joined the United States Army and served his country from 1960 to 1963 in Germany. He came back home and began his 40-year career at Vance Air Force Base, where he was an aircraft mechanic and dock lead man. Going to work, as a child and a man, was never work for Gerald. He enjoyed it. He knew that hard work was essential to support his family, and that was his only priority.
On Nov. 30, 1974, he married his beloved wife, Shirley Ann (Jones) Parker. They welcomed two children, Gerald Jr. and Donnora, and built their family, their home and their life in Garber. They were married for 29 years and he continued to love her for 12 years after she passed.
Gerald was a volunteer firefighter for the city of Garber and served as fire chief. He was also a city councilman and served as mayor at one time. He was also a patrolman for the Garber Police Department. He attended the First Baptist Church in Garber, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school superintendent.
He enjoyed collecting coins, but his favorite activity was watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He was a huge fan of the Garber Wolverines, the OU Sooners, the Chicago Cubs and the OKC Thunder.
Gerald is survived by his son, Gerald Parker Jr. and wife Tara, of Enid; daughter Donnora Reed and husband John, of Kingfisher; four grandchildren, Leyton Parker, Ty Parker, Bella Parker and Kinsley Reed; one brother Dickie Parker and wife Linda, of Garber; two nieces, Deana Smith and husband Randy, of Enid, and Kristie Parker, of Enid; one great-niece Marisa, of Weatherford; and numerous in-laws that he adored. He is also survived by many friends and caregivers that he took into his heart and loved like family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Donna Parker, his wife Shirley Parker, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Martin “Brown” and Nora Jones.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association and/or the American Cancer Society in care of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home, 1010 N. 7th, Perry, OK 73077.
Submitted by family.
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