By Staff
October 29, 2003
Funeral for Donald Ray "Don" Parker, 63, of Union Grove was Friday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. at Gober Funeral Home in Arab with Elmer Atchley and Andy Grant officiating.
Burial was in Mt. Olive Cemetery.
Mr. Parker died Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Marshall Medical Center North. He was born Aug. 30, 1940, in Russell, Kansas. He graduated from Arab High School in 1958, was a graduate from St. Bernard in 1976 and retired in 1997, having taught sixth grade at Falkville Elementary. He sang many years ago in a Barber Shop Quartet and barbered for 25 years at City Barber Shop in Arab. He twice received the recognition of Who's Who among American school teachers. He continued to home-school his two grandchildren. He loved working on his farm and was skilled in the craft of woodworking. Mr. Parker was a member of Word of Life Church in Arab, where he played the piano and taught Sunday School.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol Boles Parker of Union Grove; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Elmer Atchley of Union Grove; one brother, Dean Parker of Union Grove; two grandchildren Heather Ray Atchley and Gary Reid Atchley of Union Grove; and a host of relatives and friends.
Pallbearers were Rick Phillips, Richard Parker, Mitch Cox, Tony Cox, Gary Atchley, Jay Lasater, Jack Parker and Jerry Williams.
Honorary pallbearer was Heather Ray Atchley.