As I think about my good friend and colleague Rodney Parker, I cannot stop smiling about his live so well lived! 
 
As a young man, I already knew Rodney's younger sister Karla - who I consider a lifelong friend. After meeting Rodney back in the late 70's, I quickly gained another lifelong friend, mentor, and colleague.  Rodney welcomed us all into his home and even allowed us to baby-sit Amanda. As our student teacher at Monterey High School, Rodney was a wonderful role model as a band director and won the hearts of all my classmates.  
 
But not too fast... When I was a pledge in the band fraternity at Texas Tech, Rodney returned in his role as Mr. Rubbers, like Fred Rogers, but a very different message. He talked like Mr. Rogers, but the apparel and dialogue were much different. He was hilarious! As Rodney changed his address to heaven, I wonder what Fred Rogers had to say about Rodney's performance. 
 
What I do know is how lucky I am to have known this awesome man. Rest in Peace my friend!


I will never forget when we messed up so bad our halftime show  and he got so upset that he took our 3rd quarter break from us an let know how he was so disappointed that we could not even march facing the opposite side.  He told us the routine didn't change and we should have been able to do it.    I think we were all disappointed that we let him down that night and made sure it did not happen again.   I am so grateful that he came to Hale Center and was my band director.  He always  made you feel like you mattered and he was a great listener.  You will be missed Love ya Mr. P.

Rodney and I both grew up in Lubbock, and were highly lucky to be in the Monterey High School band, as well as the Tech band.  He was always a sweet guy,  even though you could easily see a devilish sparkle in his blue eyes waiting to emerge.  Funny, and always good for something to produce a laugh,  he was such a tremendous joy to be around. Through the years after college, we lost contact, seeing each other at band reunions. However, his voice was so distinctive that I can still hear it to this day. I was not the only member of my family who had the great fortune to have  the pleasure of  knowing him. Rodney  was in my mother’s math class. She remembered him well, and liked him a lot, which could be said about almost everyone with whom he came into contact! Being around Rodney was a gift that everyone enjoyed. He will be very much missed by all, especially his extremely  loving family.   What a beautiful send off they did give him! The memory of it will stay with me  forever. 

He was my band director at Mackenzie JR high school in Lubbock Texas he was a great person and teacher I will never forget him he always had a smile on his face. R.I.P Mr. Parker you will never be forgotten 💕💕💕💕

Rodney and I met during a Walk to Emmaus retreat in 1998 where he was a music leader and I was a first timer.  A couple of years later I was asked to be on an Emmaus team by Rodney’s brother, and Rodney was playing music again.  We got reacquainted and began a great friendship for years afterward.   Rodney and Sandy were members or our church in Lubbock and were directly involved with bringing praise and worship music into the mainstream of our church services.  Whenever my daughter Allison walked by Rodney, he would sing, “ Allison from Galveston...” like he was George Strait.  It broke my heart when the Parkers moved to Elgin as the distance made it harder to stay close and connected, but our love for Rodney and Sandy never dimmed.   Rodney was my buddy and my brother in Christ.  I am better for our friendship.  I miss him greatly.  I look forward to seeing him again.    Fly to the angels!! 

I first met Rodney when I did a class a few years ago in Austin. I always remember Rodney as being very gentle, kind and loyal to his family. Every time I talked with Sandy, I always got how close they were, and always appreciated that. He also had a great sense of humor, and I love the songs that he wrote and performed.  Thank you Rodney for making the world a better place and for leaving great memories for me.

I don't know if there's a band in Heaven but if there is, I know for sure who's leading it!  Mr. Rodney Parker , himself!!!  I have never met anyone who loved the music and the kids more than he did.  Another talent he had besides music was that he could fix our computers at the office (that's no small feat if you knew how badly I can mess up a computer).   My high school band director, Mr. Gibbs was Rodney's mentor when he was a new band director.  What a small world.  I am honored and privileged to be able to call Rodney my friend.   It's not "good-bye"  it's "I'll see ya later"...I know that as well as I know my name.  

Rodney was a great step-dad, uncle, friend over the years.  My earliest memory was riding in his 260Z going out to meet his parents, Bo and Memaw who were just as kind as he was.  He taught me to pitch when I was in little league.  He took me bowling, to putt-putt and to baseball games at Western Little League.  I enjoyed the time we spent together.  He was always kind, never a harsh word.  He was a peacemaker and I appreciated his advice and help.  I grieve for his family as I know he will be missed.  But I also know that he is having a great time now with Bo and Memaw.  

My earliest memory of Rodney was in 9th grade, in the cafeteria. It must have been a holiday lunch, because he was doing a comedy skit, telling a story about digging out lint and accidently starting a leak in his belly, then flying around the room like a balloon, haha. It still makes me laugh today. He was a great friend throughout high school and I know he will be sorely missed.

I met Rodney while working for his parents and he was going to college. He would come and work some with us -always joking and laughing. Never seen him without a smile on his face. My heart goes out to his family and siblings -he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Parker was my high school band director in Levelland he was such a great teacher he wasnt just a teacher we had our own band family he was there for us any time we needed it.. I wish he would have stayed here for now my kids could have been his student he will be misssed Rest In Paradise Mr P

 He was a wonderful band director! One of the memories I have is my senior  year I gave him a tie with music notes on it for Christmas and he wore it at competitions for luck. Well, we got Division 1 at those competitions! After I graduated, when I saw him in passing, he told me he still wears that tie at every competition. He will be greatly missed! 

Mr.Parker was my daughters band director . We followed the band to all the games. You could easily see how much all the kids adored him. Rodney and Sandy both where real assets to the Levelland community . I know he will be greatly missed and my condolences to Sandy and his family.
Jennifer Evanson-Walters

Austin Pets Alive

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In addition to his wife, Rodney is survived by his three daughters Amanda Galbincea and her husband John of Katy, Texas, Erin Parker-Atkins and her husband Brad of Wylie, Texas, and Taylor Parker of Manor, Texas; grandchildren, Shelby, Atticus, Ellie and  Andrew; brother, Wayne Parker and his wife Paula of Gainesville, Texas; sisters Karen Bitzer and her husband Jay of Garland, Texas, Karla Bryant and her husband Joe of McKinney, Texas; as well as many extended family members and close friends.

Rodney was preceded in death by one grandchild Eli Galbincea.

OBITUARY

Rodney Lee Parker

20 December, 1957 – 20 February, 2019

Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home & Cemetery

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