Obituary of James E. Parker

Funeral services for James E. "Skinny' Parker, 78, Arp, are scheduled for 10:00 am, Saturday, December 29, at the Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home chapel, Overton, with the Reverend Doctor Ron Klingsick officiating. Burial will be in the Mason Cemetery, Arp. Mr. Parker was called home, Thursday, December 27. He was born November 21, 1929, in Arp, to the late Robert Dempse and Jewel Florence Parker. Mr. Parker was a graduate of Arp High School. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Saipan. Afterwards, he received his BBA from the University of North Texas, Denton. He joined Chance Vought Missile in 1956, in Arlington, where he met and married Inez Latham, January 11, 1958. In 1963, he was transferred to Utica, Michigan and returned to Arlington after 18 years. He retired in 1990 and moved back to Arp in 1996. He was a member of the Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Laney-Gambrell American Legion Post #418, Troup. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Parker Kimball and his brother, John Robert Parker. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Inez Latham Parker, Arp; daughter and son-in-law, Robbin and Mike Walker, Boyd; sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert and Janet Parker, Macomb, Michigan and John Thomas Parker, Arp; sisters and brothers-in-law, Florence Maxine and Roy V. Soape, Arp, Oline Beall and Tom B. Swinney and Frankie Mae and Lloyd R. O'Neal, all of Tyler; grandsons, Matthew David Eagleson, James Scott Parker, Michael John Parker, Thomas Jacob Parker, and Wyatt James Walker; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Bob O'Neal, Albert Kimball, Bill Kimball, Dr. Brady Swinney, Jerry Soape, and Sam Parker. Memorials, if desired, may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701 or to the Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 87, Arp, Tx 75750. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Friday, December 28.