John Parker

John Newman Parker, 81, passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at home. He was the son of the late Jessie Piland and Charles Thomas Parker. He was preceded in death by his brother, George D. Parker and his sister, Anne Thomas Carr. John was an active member of Woodlawn Baptist Church where he was a Deacon and served on the Building and Grounds Committee during the construction of the church parking lot. He was a dedicated member and always available when called upon. He was a member of the McAlister Masonic Lodge No. 185 in Whaleyville, Virginia and received the 50 year member certificate of the lodge. He was a charter member of the Holy Neck Ruritan Club, the American Legion Post #284 in Colonial Heights, a Veteran of the Korean Conflict, an active member in the Colonial Heights Quarter Back Club, and proud member of the Farm Bureau for thirty years. Mr. Parker is survived by his wife Catherine "Teal" Parker; two children, David Lorentz and wife, Cindy of Colonial Heights; Mona Kea Durning and husband, Dave of Colonial Heights; five grandchildren, Kasey Creech, Meagan Creech, Jessica, Brittany, and Tara Lorentz; as well as one sister, Dora Parker Horton of Suffolk; one brother William Jesse Parker and wife, Kathie of Dublin; and special nieces and nephews. John N. Parker was raised on a peanut, grain, and hog farm near Suffolk, Virginia. He began his career with Virginia Farm Bureau in 1963 as a field representative, going on to become the Director of the Broiler and Vegetable Marketing Program, and eventually Commodities Director. In 1982 he moved to Chicago where he served as Director of the American Farm Bureaus Peanut, Tobacco, and Forestry Department. In 1984 he was named Commodities Director of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation. He later became Assistant to the President. He retired in September 1993 and moved back home to Virginia to be a full time and hands on husband, father, Paw-Paw, John-John and friend to all he loved. He will be greatly missed. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard with the Reverend Doctor John Mason officiating. Burial to follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening (tonight) from 7-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers are welcome or contributions may be made to Woodlawn Baptist Church, 3120 Woodlawn Ave., Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834, with special notations to the creation of an Activities Building Renovation Fund.