Eugene Lawrence Parker Jr.

Eugene Lawrence Parker Jr., age 91, of Olathe, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Eugene “Gene” Lawrence Parker, Jr. was born August 21, 1930 in Highland Park, Michigan. He was the first born of Eugene and Hazel Marie (Anderson) Parker.

Gene always said that after his father died that he was the patriarch of his line of the Parkers and the first born with his father’s new name. His father died in 1970 in California. His father was born in Elmira, New York and his birth name was Kenneth Miles Carey. Gene was never able to find out why his father changed his name before marrying Hazel in 1928. Gene’s mom told him it was because he got involved with the mob, which mob he didn’t know.

Gene did discover that his father had two children from a first marriage. These children were Joanne had a younger brother, Kenneth, who passed away in February of 1989. Kenneth was raised by a family named Hawk and used that as his surname all his adult life.

When Gene’s mother and father separated in Michigan, his mother took her children and moved to Kansas where her sister lived. Gene’s mother took her three kids and they moved out on their own. They lived pretty much all over greater Kansas City, Kansas, Armourdale, Argentine, and the community of Welborn.

Hazel met and married J.D. “Jerry” Allen who owned 10 acres of land close to Lenexa and in 1942 the family moved there. From there Gene lived the life of a young boy. He learned to milk cows, slop hogs, hoe weeds and drive a tractor along with the many other chores of a farmer. Gene often said that was probably the best thing that happened to him and his younger brother, Kenneth. Gene said if they had continued living in Armourdale or Argentine they would have ended up in jail.

In 1942, the kids started school in Lenexa. From there they went to Shawnee Mission (North) High School. Gene lettered in track, running the mile, and cross country. Gene was very proud of his school record. In four years of high school, he only missed four hours and made the honor roll (maintaining a “B” average) seven out of eight semesters.

Gene always wanted to play a musical instrument. His mom bought him a trumpet while they lived in Welborn. He took school band lessons while at Welborn. Gene always said he learned to play “Red River Valley” and that was it. When they left Welborn the lessons stopped. He later tried his wife’s ukulele (no luck). Then he tried his wife’s organ (again, no luck). He finally mastered the bagpipes. He joined the St. Andrew’s Society band. He gave up after several years when COPD got the best of his breathing.

Gene also worked and retired after 34 years from South Western Bell Telephone/AT&T. After retirement he worked for a small local communications company and then went on to work and retire from Sprint after 15 years.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Janis Kaye (Gibson) Parker. He is survived by his daughter Lauren Faye (Parker) Ingle, sister Thedra Smith, brother Kenneth Parker, two granddaughters, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Gene “Grumpy” Parker will be greatly missed by many.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilley-Frye.com for the Parker family.