Melvin Lee "Mel" Parker

Melvin Lee Parker was born March 2, 1950, in Beaumont, Texas, through his parents, Faye and Raymond Parker. He passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at the age of 65, at the Cancer Treatment Center of America-Tulsa, after a long, hard battle with the beast of cancer. Melvin graduated from Paris High School in 1968. Melvin’s early sales career began as a shoe salesman for Ayers department store, then on to other shoe companies, such as Lowenstein’s, Dillard’s, Texas Boot, Co., St. Louis Shoe Co. and Cavender’s. Stories told that he was the best at what he did. He could sell you shoes that you didn’t even like. His greatest love was for his current employer, The Paris News. He began his career at The Paris News in 1984 and worked until his passing. The Paris News was not a job to Mel, it was a family. He loved each and every associate with his heart and soul. Mel was a member of the Jaycees for many years. He was a lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited, and displayed his proud collection in every corner of his home. His favorite time of year was Christmas, when, for many years, he would become Santa’s helper on the square, working through Red River Valley Fair Association. He was an avid sports fan, following games from local to pro faithfully. In 1974, Melvin married Lynn Jarvis in Memphis, Tennessee, and together had two sons, Jai and Kenny Parker. He is survived by son, Jai Parker and wife Jennifer, of Memphis, son, Kenny Parker, of Nashville; one brother, Allen Parker and wife Jamie, of Paris; sister, Jackie Garner, of Tyler, and sister, Vicky Raper, of Paris. He was blessed with nine grandchildren, Jayce Allen, Jaimelynn Parker, Emory Parker, Ireland Parker, Hannah Wilkerson, Ryder Parker, Jaxx Parker, Avery Parker and Kayle Kilpatrick. He had many special nieces and newphews, and very special friends, Mary Olsen, Pat Hedrick and children, Sean Hedrick and Shannon Hedrick, which he loved as though they were his own. The two ladies closest to his heart were his poodles, Bonnie and Addy. Melvin was blessed to have an enormous amount of friends, which was evident by the amount of prayers and blessings sent to our family during this difficult time. Our family would like to thank each and every one of you for sharing your stories and memories with us. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Faye Allen Parker and Raymond Melvin Parker.