Birth Date: 03/27/1940
Deceased Date: 02/15/2024
Larry Lassiter Parker, 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 15, 2024, while surrounded by family at home in Stella, NC.
Larry was born on March 27, 1940 to the late Chester Lee and Cramer Wiggs Parker in the Thanksgiving community of Johnston County. What the family may have lacked in financial resources, they made up for in the love and commitment they had for one another. Preceding him in death is his loving wife of 59 years, and the mother of his children, Frances White Parker.
Larry lived a vibrant life in which he blessed and cared for many. After graduating from Broughton High School in 1958, Larry enlisted in the Navy and served honorably before returning home to establish and raise his family close to his parents and only sister. An entrepreneur, he established Motors and Controls, Inc. and Bailey Supply where he took pride and pleasure in serving his loyal customers and building two successful Heating and Air Conditioning Supply businesses in Raleigh, NC with his long-time business partners Jim Johnson and Sherwood Bailey. Larry was a keen investor, visionary, builder and developer in his personal and professional affairs before and after retirement. At the ripe age of 80, he was blessed to see the fruition of his life-long dream of retiring to the Crystal Coast along with his wife Tammy.
Larry was a voracious reader and was self-educated on a wide range of subjects that were of interest to him including fishing and boating, organic gardening, cooking, and most notably the Bible. He developed a thirst for more knowledge of the Word of God after joining Bible Study Fellowship in the late 80’s. In the years since, his daily morning routine of coffee, Bible reading and prayer culminated in having read the Bible cover to cover more times than he could count. A man of few words, Larry didn’t preach or judge, he lived his testimony to the power of the unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus. A consummate caretaker, he lived in a way that touched and encouraged and nurtured everyone that knew him. To sit around his table and enjoy a meal prepared by him was a delight and a true honor as can be recounted by family, friends, and his extended Johnston County relatives.
Surviving him are his wife, Tammy Ashworth Parker. His sons, Herbert Lee Parker and wife, Nita, and Robert Keith Parker and wife, Wendy; his daughter, Crissy Parker Porter; grandchildren, Emily Parker Watson, Robert Keith Parker Jr., Margot Caroline Porter, Silas Parker Porter, and Jane Ashley Porter. His only sister, Diane Parker Lewter, as well as beloved brothers and sisters- in-law, nieces, nephews and his treasured cousins. He will remain in the hearts and memories of his family and dear friends.
Visitation will be held at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma, NC on Wednesday February 21 at 1:00 p.m. followed immediately by a service at 2:00 p.m. Interment, with military honors, to follow in Selma Memorial Gardens.
Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
