Leonard Jennings Parker

Leonard Jennings Parker, born July 16, 1920, in Houston, Texas, in a house in the Heights, went to be with the Lord on March 09, 2015, at the age of 94. Leonard joined several beloved family members who preceded him in death: his sweet wife Geraldine (Deanie) Beatrice Parker; son, Dr. Glenn Alan Parker; brothers Seth Rufus Parker and Harry Parker; and sisters, Ethel Mae Bradley and Rebecca Wilson. In accordance with Leonard’s wishes, his body was donated to the Willed Body Program at the University of Texas Medical Center to help medical science; his remains have just recently been returned to his family. The youngest of eight children, Leonard was born during the Great Depression. Growing up without a father, Leonard was practically raised by his older brother, Seth, to whom Leonard stayed close until Seth’s death. Leonard started working with his brother on a dairy farm at the young age of eight, and continued to work hard his entire life. He learned civil engineering as he built runways at Ellington Field, south of Houston. He then used those skills serving our country in WW II in the U.S. Coast Guard. Leonard worked for W.S. Bellows Construction Co. as a Foreman and rose to the level of Superintendent for Spaw Glass Construction Co. He helped construct some of the tallest multi-story buildings in downtown Houston at the time; he would often proudly point out some of these structures to his family, as well as numerous schools and churches he was instrumental in constructing. Leonard was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Montgomery #25, the same chapter frequented in earlier times by the President of the state of Texas, Sam Houston. Leonard was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Montgomery Chapter #228, where he attended with Deanie. He and Deanie also enjoyed attending the United Methodist Church of Conroe. As a man of many interests and talents, there were few mechanical things Leonard could not do. He loved airplanes, and received his pilot’s license in 1974. He flew Cessna, Piper, and his favorite aircraft, Mooney. But above all, Leonard loved his family. Mr. Parker is survived by two loving sons and their families: Dr. Robert G. Parker and wife Pamella Kaye Patterson Parker, and grandsons Sean Belanger Parker and Cameron Wayne Royston Parker of Houston, Texas; Pamella’s mother, Mary Patterson, and Pamella’s brother, Royston Hoffman Patterson III, of Houston; Dr. Leonard J. Parker, Susan, and her daughter, Brooke Parker, of Montgomery, Texas. Other loving family left to cherish Mr. Parker’s memory include Dr. Gale Parker McEnery, his middle son Glenn’s wife at the time of Glenn’s death, and her son, Rich; also numerous wonderful cousins, nephews and nieces including those in the Bradley, Hayes, Tripp, Bland, Farrell, Ramsey, Leslie, and Mercer families. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am with Memorial Services to begin at 11:00am on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Inurnment will follow at Brookside Memorial Park. A reception will take place at Brookside Funeral Home Large Hospitality room from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. A Masonic service will be given by members of Mr. Parker’s Montgomery Lodge. A military service will be officiated by a U.S. Coast Guard Chaplin and a Folding of the Flag ceremony with the playing of Taps will be presented by honored military. A Celebration of Life is scheduled to follow at Brookside Funeral Home for family and friends to break bread and gather in remembrance of a life well-lived. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to the charity of your choice in memory of Leonard J Parker.

Papa, We All Miss You and that Big Smile So Dearly.