Dad one of my fondest memories is from those times I saw you spending time on your phone sending all of us a text to show how much you care for all of us.   One sad memory is also focused around some of the texts you sent me pleading for me to bring you your cough medicine while you were in the hospital those last few days you were here with us.  I regret fact that I didn’t bring it to you but remember the staff said I couldn’t bring meds to you from home.

Remembering how you loved to go the the Seafood Buffet on Friday Nights at the Ft Belvoir O’Club.

The day before my Dad was called to his Heavenly home  I was thinking of him and wrote him a poem from my heart to his. I always loved & adored him as a little girl does her Daddy. 💘 This love will continue throughout my life on earth when one day our hearts will reunite in Heaven.💞 Holding you, Dad & Mom, close in my heart. Enjoy my little girl poem.💔😥Missing you both.💘

On June 6, 2013, the day before we moved from Hagerstown, MD to Vale,SD, I was visiting  my Dad.  I decided I'd like to ask him a few things about himself, a memory keepsake for myself, which I documented. Here are the responses he gave me: His hobby was Art. Favorite color was Blue. Favorite food:"I like a lot of things. Fried chicken,  Chocolate cream pie & Chocolate meringue pie." Favorite song :"How Great Thou Art. I sit back there & sing the Lords Prayer" & he sang it for me. I told him he had a pretty voice in which he replied, "I thank the good Lord for my voice." Favorite place:Paris,France:" Paris with your Mother." Then he said,"I'm left with memories of your Mother,  surrounded by all the things she made & shirts she made for me with a label in the back that said," Made With Tender Loving Care by Norma Kate Parker." The happiest day of his life: "Marrying your Mother." His interests: included "Traveling to Florida & California; Cooking; Planning Meals & Shopping. " Then he said, "Alright my love, I'm going to say good night. See you in the morning at breakfast." Recently I told him, "Know that I love you so very much! If God calls you home & I'm not by your side, I WILL see you again, if not before, at the latest in Heaven."💘 Sheshe

I remember the many times we went to eat as a family at Ft. Belvoir Officers Club on Friday nights when they had seafood buffet. What a wonderful time we had with dad. We also had a great time when my two sisters were visiting and all of us went to lunch at Mission BBQ and Chinese food at SZECHUAN STAR.  Dad was a favorite customer at SZECHUAN STAR restaurant.  Dad was a great father when you needed help with financial problems as we all got some help during his lifetime. We had great times when we lived in PUERTO RICO and HAWAII  too.  Rest in peace dad. Know that I tried to contact your friends by phone but will write them a note to let them know you're with mom now.  I will always love you daddy. God bless you and God bless America. Your oldest daughter SUZANNE AKA SUZIE Q💖😘😭👼🙏

The budding branch, the rain, the flush of spring
Awakens life, the heart, the mind and everything
To the young at heart all's gay and bright
In revery silence and warm sunlight
It brings backs thoughts of the winter gray
The months between that were bright and gay
Our walks and talks, the games we played
The times we wondered thought and prayed
No matter what the future brings
I'm very glad we shared these things
If god should will that we must part
I'll treasure each memory within my heart

By...Jonh F. Shelley (Pat Parker's dad)

Although my relationship with Uncle James was limited by distance, it was (and will remain in memory) a loving relationship. My father's only sibling, and one of only two uncles I have on any side of my family, James came to represent many things to me and, much later, to my son Quentin, with whom he had a special bond. James lived a long and full life, married and remained devoted to his high school sweetheart, raised and supported a large family, was a career military man, veteran of war, and engaged in the intelligence community, including vetting foreign scientists. I know he was proud of his service, took the time to share some of its meaning with us (he even created a framed replica of his medals for my son), and he also took seriously his requisite silence on classified matters, which was a fierce point of loyalty with him. He was full of honor, and love of family--he always talked with great pride about my cousins--and although we diverged for most of our overlapping lives on socio-political issues, James was clearly not afraid to challenge his own beliefs out of love as he considered his diversifying family. He bonded with grand- and great-grandchildren, and he never failed to remember birthdays and holidays, send cards, and take an interest, no matter the distance of time or miles between us. We will miss you, James. And we send our sympathy to the rest of the family in this difficult time. Love, Allison and Quentin

The budding branch, the rain, the flush of spring
Awakens life, the heart, the mind and everything
To the young at heart all's gay and bright
In revery silence and warm sunlight
It brings backs thoughts of the winter gray
The months between that were bright and gay
Our walks and talks, the games we played
The times we wondered thought and prayed
No matter what the future brings
I'm very glad we shared these things
If god should will that we must part
I'll treasure each memory within my heart

Poem By...John F. Shelley, Capt USN Ret.
Pat  Parker's dad



One of my fondest memories of my father is from when we were in Hawaii & Dad took us down to see the movie "In Harms Way" as it was being filmed while we lived there. I always thought Dad was the tallest man on earth. Then we met & shook hands with "John Wayne" & wow, Dad had to look up to him. My mouth hung open. Dad laughed at me later. 
There are many more good memories but too emotional to continue right now. I love & miss him. May God hold Dad in the palm of his hands.

I will always remember the many Saturday mornings when Doug would bring James into the VFW to join us for breakfast.  James was a pleasure to be around … a true gentleman.   I believe that when James came face-to-face with God the Father, God reached out his hand to James, and in much the same way he said of his own Son, Jesus Christ, said to him:  “Here is my good and faithful servant James...in whom I am well pleased.”

John 6:39-40   Jesus tells us …. “And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of those He has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life."

As a military family, we all learned that our roots resided with family, not any single location. Dad received orders to transfer almost every 3 years, so we were our own best friends. I loved the sightseeing trips Dad would take us on almost every weekend. A new adventure, at every location. 
My favorite vacation ever was at KMC Military Camp on the Big Island, Hawaii.  From cool misty mornings,  warm fireplaces, walks across the Kileaua crater, black sand beaches, Parker Ranch, and the Coffee plantations , we saw life first hand. 
Thanks for those special times, sweet memories and the love of adventure. You will always be in my heart. ❤️💙🙏🏻 Anita

I have so many happy memories to share  to I will start with this one as he and I spent so many hours in his Navigator during this memory.  It is from a few years ago.  Dad and i drove together to visit my sister Anita in California to deliver the remaining pieces of mom's sewing cabinet.   During the drive home we took a southerly route so he and I could visit Goliad, TX a place that mom and dad visited during one of their cross country adventures.    Dad reminded me that the fortress was where on March 27, 1836, following the Battle of Coleto; 425-445 prisoners of war from the Texian Army of the Republic of Texas were killed by the Mexican Army in the town of Goliad, Texas. Among those killed was commander Colonel James Fannin.  After that we continued east to Aunt Jenny's Catfish restaurant.   He had never been there before and said after dinner that the catfish was the best he ever had. 😋😁  we love and miss you so much dad but your memories shared with us are a blessing we will cherish the rest of our lives.

OBITUARY

James Ernest Parker Sr.

August 29, 1927 – November 14, 2019

Demaine Funeral Home

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