John Avery Parker

Muskogee, OK- Graveside services for John Avery Parker will be held on Thursday, August 6th, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery with Pastor Cunningham officiating. Military Rites will be rendered by Ft. Sill Army Personnel. Condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Honorary pallbearers include Keith Cooley, Joe Duncan, and Dylan Cooley.

John Avery Parker was born on September 20th, 1931 in Jay, OK the son of John Sixkiller Jr. and Ella Mae Wilson. He proudly joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War from 1948 until his two tours were completed in 1955, where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Following his honorable discharge, he began a career in working pipeline and then transferred to Phillips Pipe Company in Pryor, OK. On July 3rd, 1969, he married the love of his life, Cloetta M. Hughes, and together they raised two daughters, Lisa and Nita Jo. Following his career in pipeline, John and Cleo, or “Pal” as he affectionately called her, started “John’s BBQ”, fulfilling his dream of creating good Southern BBQ. They loved working with the public and always went the extra mile for their clients. John was a happy man just to be near his daughters and his grandchildren. He was so very proud of all their accomplishments and was willing to help with all the “Bluebirds” and “Girl Scout” activities. His grandchildren were a constant delight to him. He spent time teaching them to speak in Cherokee and kept them close while he built small engines. He loved to take them to the creek where they could look for interesting rocks, or spending an afternoon just watching them skate. A Christian by faith, John attended Baptist Church whenever possible. He loved his church family and thought of them as extended family. His health began to fail him and the Lord brought John home from his earthly labors on August 2nd, 2013 in Muskogee, OK with his loved ones close by his side. He was 81 years old. John will be greatly missed for his love, friendship, and wisdom he shared with his family and friends alike.

John is preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, John Sixkiller Jr. in 2006.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Cloetta of the home in Muskogee, and two wonderful daughters, Lisa M. Cooley and husband Keith of Muskogee, OK and Nita Jo Duncan and husband Joe of Kansas, OK. John’s love of life and legacy lives on in his eight grandchildren, Whitni Haby, Dylan Cooley, Kimber James-Sheppard, Brittney Cooley, Darren Cooley, Bethney Cooley, Madison Duncan, Abby Duncan and Misty Duncan. He also leaves four great grandchildren, Steven Rienschmidt, Bella Reed, Brandy Reed, and Aracely Najeral as well as seven sisters, numerous nieces and nephews, many cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.