Randy Earl Parker

A son of Asheville, North Carolina, Randy Parker was the 6th child of Carroll Grady Parker and Helen Capps Parker born September 13, 1962. Thirty-five days later, Randy’s father, at the age of 43, passed away. His mother Helen cared for Randy and his brother Stevie as his older siblings had lives of their own. Randy said his mom moved them around from place to place, having to make new friends and experience new schools. He graduated from Clyde A. Erwin High School and pursued odd jobs ultimately landing in the field of Building Maintenance. He strived to procure his licensing and certifications in various disciplines, including but not limited to A/C, Pool & Spa Operations, Plumbing, Pesticide application as well as continuing education in conflict management, mechanical inspection and fire prevention and fair housing laws. He held a Florida Security License D and Armed Security License G. He was very proud of his industry and his accomplishments resulted in his rise to upper management.

Randy was most proud of his daughter Felicia Parker. He was a dutiful and dedicated father, always providing guidance and support during her growing up years to this day. He always made time to get her to school and pick her up every day and supported her endeavors over the years.

In 1983, Randy was attending a party with his longtime friend from grade school, Steve Surrett. It was at that party that Randy and Karen met for the first time. They were 20 years old, both living in Asheville. They were together for about a year and then separated and went their own way.

On July 12, 2014, Karen found Randy’s profile on Facebook and sent him a message. Randy responded on July 14, 2014, and that as they say is that. Their romance picked back up, despite having lived lives completely different from one another. In 1990, Karen returned to Miami, Florida to continue her career in Law and Randy remained living in Asheville working in his field of building maintenance. During the December, 2014 holiday, while Karen was visiting Randy in Asheville, Randy popped the question. A resounding yes by Karen was announced with the caveat that Randy move to Miami and share his life with her there. On March 27, 2015, Randy packed up his life in a U-Haul, pulling his old Chevy Blazer behind and ventured to Miami, Florida to start his new life with Karen. They were married on September 5, 2015 at a beautiful ceremony at The Rusty Pelican surrounded by family and friends that welcomed Randy into their lives.

Karen and Randy did everything together over the next 10 ½ years. Cruises to the Caribbean, trips to Mexico, Bimini, The Bahamas, Washington, DC, the Florida Keys, and a world wind first class trip to Paris. Of course, over the years there were many trips to Asheville to visit with Felicia and family and friends. Karen would often times arrange for Felicia to fly down to Miami to spend time with her Dad. Randy was a lover of music and Karen would surprise him with concert tickets to see the Eagles, Manheim Steamroller, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Moody Blues, Bee Gees, ELO, Stevie Nicks, The Dooby Brothers, Ron White, Bill Engvall and Pink Floyd Review.

Randy loved sitting on the porch overlooking the pool and patio and the jet airplanes flying overhead while smoking his Marlboro Red Label cigarettes and drinking his George Dickel Tennessee sipping whiskey with a little Pepsi. He loved football season when his favorite team, the Green Bay Packers, would play. He was also a Yankee fan. His all-time favorite was watching Nascar and actually experienced the opportunity of putting on a racing suit and helmet and drove a race car at Homestead Stadium. What a thrill it was for him zooming around the track at 152 mph. His hair was on fire!

2025 was a difficult health year for Randy. He suffered from a wound in his foot that resulted in the amputation of his little right toe and five months of recovery. Thereafter in October, he fell and suffered two fractures in his lumbar spine. He refused in-house rehabilitation, so he elected to fix himself. Karen drove him to every doctor’s appointment and supported him at every step. Randy was a strong, stubborn, and set in his way guy. He believed he could heal himself despite recommendations from his medical providers.

Randy lived an amazing life in a beautiful home with Karen. There are those that think Karen did not do all that she could to care for Randy. It is important for the world to know that Karen was the love of Randy’s life as he was to her. Yes, they had their bumps and bruises. What married couple doesn’t. No matter what, they stayed together and continued to make it work.

The morning of the day Randy passed, they exchanged their good mornings to each other and Randy said to Karen, “have a great day, see you later.” The loss of Randy has left a hole in Karen’s heart as well as those who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed from our lives.Karen will be holding a Memorial gathering in their home on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. to celebrate Randy before his ashes are sent to his final resting place in Asheville, NC.

A tribute to the life of Randy Parker:

https://youtu.be/obc4xUtt3lk?feature=shared