John Charles Parker II, 79, of Baton Rouge, died surrounded by loved ones on July 11, 2025, at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center. He was born on March 30, 1946, to John Charles Parker I and Margaret Griffin Parker in New Orleans, LA.
Charles attended Istrouma High School, earning all-city and state basketball honors before moving on to play for, and graduate from, Southeastern Louisiana University.
He married Katy Watkins on August 2, 1969. They had two children, Ashley and Scott. The family joined the congregation of St. John's United Methodist Church in 1979. By trade, he was a partner in the CPA firm Hawthorn, Waymouth and Carroll, retiring after having worked there for his entire career.
He lived an exciting and varied life—from his experience as a basketball player to working as a college radio DJ and freelance photographer. He went on to serve as the long-time Chairman of the LSU Baseball Coaches Committee during the late ’80s to early 2000s. One of his favorite places on the planet was the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado.
Charles is survived by his wife, Katy; daughter, Ashley, and her husband, John Steinmetz; son, Scott, and his wife, Zully Parker; and grandchildren Hanna Steinmetz, Parker Steinmetz, and Cooper Steinmetz. He was preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Margaret Parker, and his sister, Margaret Parker Lowry.
Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The burial will occur the following day at the historic American Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Memorials or donations may be made to the recipient of your choice in his honor.
