Edward Parker

Edward Parker, 96, of Rockdale passed away Friday morning, Nov. 11, 2016, at his home. 

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in the First Baptist Church in Lexington. Burial in the Lexington Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Lexington.

Curtis Edward Parker, long-time cattleman and rancher, departed this world on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2016, to be with friends and family. 

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Corinne Ingram Parker. Additionally, he is survived by two children, Pamela Sherrill and Dr. Barry Parker of Houston; four grandchildren including Andrea Sherrill, Aaron Parker, Adam and Chryl Sherrill and Ryan and Jennifer Parker;  great-grandchildren are Caitlin, Chance and Chase Sherrill.  

He was a lifelong member and a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Lexington.

Upon graduation from Lexington High School, Curtis went to A&M and upon graduation became an officer in the U.S. Army just as World War II was getting underway.  He landed on Normandy Beach, was a member of the Red Ball Express and fought in many battles including the famed Battle of the Bulge.  He received multiply military accommodations, including two Bronze Stars.  At the end of the war he had gained enough seniority based on time in the war plus participation in battles to be able to come back home on the second ship leaving the European Theatre.  He stated on multiple occasions, “What a sight it was to have fireboats shooting water over the bow of your ship and seeing the Statue of Liberty in New York” as they reentered the U.S.

Having left the armed forces, he and Corinne moved to Lexington to live the remainder of his life. He joined his dad, C.C. Parker, J.W. Parker and Linoel Lewis to form C.C. Parker & Sons. The business focused on cattle, land clearing along with hog buying at multiple locations throughout the state. By the time the packing companies had started sending their own representatives to the cattle auctions, C.C. Parker and Sons had purchased close to one million hogs.

He was an exceptionally knowledgeable cow man and had a good eye for great cattle. His favorite pastime was to drive through the cattle where he could admire the beauty of life and his work.  In his later years, he ran a cow-calf operation in Rockdale and could spot problems with the cattle right as he drove upon them.

He was your typical Mother, Country, Apple Pie kind of guy. He seldom gave advice, but he could say more in several words than most people could say in two paragraphs.  He laughed excessively and was generous with his money and time. He was a great joke teller. When he spoke people listened.  He would never boast about anything, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He will be sorely missed for his wisdom, wit, humor, work ethic, honesty, love for life, love for his wife, love of his fellow man, love of his country and love of his Lord and Savior. 

Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home of Rockdale in charge of arrangements.