Parker Wyman Longbottom, Jr., formerly of 4908 Coach Hill Drive in Greenville, SC, died in the town of Travelers Rest, SC on 11/29/2018 after a lengthy illness. Born in Claremont, NH, the eldest child of Parker Wyman Longbottom, Sr. and Eleanor Sophia (White) Longbottom, he attended schools in Claremont, NH, where he graduated from Stevens High School in the Class of 1948 where he distinguished himself in the studies of physics and chemistry. He went on to complete a BS degree in Chemical Engineering at the former Lowell Institute of Technology in Lowell, MA, thereafter serving in the United States Army. Parker married Leola Braun of Pittsburgh, PA in the 1950s. After caring for Leola for over 20 years, she passed away from MS in 1980. In late 1981, Parker met and married Norma Lenore Lider, of Spartanburg, SC for whom he cared until she passed in 2011. During his lifelong career as a textile chemical engineer, he held two patents for creation of new parts for textile manufacturing machinery. He held memberships in the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.
Parker will be most remembered for his inner strength, manifest in the manner in which he dealt with the many challenges throughout his lifetime. First, the illness and death of his father when Parker was a teen, then caring for his wife with severe MS while raising 4 children and working full time as a chemical engineer in the textile industry. He never complained but simply dealt with whatever life placed in his path. Parker’s sense of adventure propelled him and Norma to five different continents and many foreign and exotic lands. In addition to spending many months on several occasions in Cairo, Egypt sharing his knowledge of textile engineering with Cairo’s textile industry engineers, he hiked the Grand Canyon multiple time, enjoying his passion for photography at every destination. He will also be remembered for his keen intellect and sense of humor.
Parker is survived by his two beloved sisters, Carol Lazarz of East Longmeadow, MA and Joyce Fry of Hampton, NH; his daughter, Lee Evans (Steve), who, with compassion, love and courage, tended to care for the final six years of his illness; and by his sons, Dean Longbottom (Janet) and Daniel Longbottom (Sheila). Also survived by his grandchildren: Sarah Longbottom, who loved her Grandfather dearly, Scott Evans, who spent many hours each week assisting Parker with physical and occupational therapy exercise, Joey Evans, Kimberly Longbottom, Eric (Autumn) Longbottom and their child, Danny Longbottom (Chelsea) and their children.
Parker was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Leola; and his second wife, Norma, who brought him much joy for 31 years. He was also predeceased by Leola’s son, David, whom Parker adopted as his own; and by Norma’s children, Bradley Coles and Julie Coles Kuhlman.
Special thanks and much love to Parker’s close friend and caregiver, Marvin Allen, to Bennie Killingsworth of At Home Care, to the staff at Haywood Estates and NHC Boiling Springs Road Rehabilitation, and finally to all the staff and his friends at Spring Park Assisted Living in Travers Rest for giving him so much love and comfort in the last year of his life in conjunction with Regency Hospice.
All are invited to a Memorial Mass, which will be held to honor Parker Wyman Longbottom, Jr. on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1209 Brushy Creek Road, Taylors, SC 29687. www.princeofpeacetaylors.net
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Prince of Peace Catholic Church.
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