Birth Date: 08/17/1948
Deceased Date: 06/08/2021
Kenneth R Parker, a loving husband, father and brother passed away peacefully on June 8, 2021 after a short battle with cancer at his home with his family by his side.
He was born in Wilmington, NC to the late R Windle and Rosetta Sandell Parker. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carolyn Lee Parker, son Jay Windle Parker of Clayton, sisters Carol (Jerry) Duncan of Oak Ridge and Fay (Richard/deceased) Lankford of Clayton. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Upon his retirement from the US Postal Service in 2009, he devoted the majority of his time to serving all veterans, he was very well known by the staff at the VA Hospital in Durham; he earned the President’s Award for over 10,000 hours of volunteer service. Ken belong to several military organizations, including Marine Corp League, VFW Post 5055, Selma NC, American Legion Post 132, Smithfield, NC, 40/8 Voriture 1517 of Johnston County, NC, and a major organizer for Toys for Tots.
Ken earned numerous awards and recognition such as the Merit Mast, Vietnam Veteran, Good Conduct Medal, Honorary Pack Leader from the Military Order of the Devil Dogs, Marine League Corp Distinguished Service Award. Also The Chapel of Four Chaplains presented Ken with the Legion of Honor Award just to name a few of the many.
A memorial service with full military honors will be held on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 2:00pm in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home with the family receiving friends immediately following the service.
Ken’s wishes were that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made on his behalf to one of his favorite charities: Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military of Devil Dogs, VFW Post 5955 Selma, NC, American Legion Post 132 Smithfield, NC. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com for the Parker family. Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton.
It has made all the difference for me…loosing so many friends over the years it became a matter of self survival to shift my thoughts from grieving to actually celebrating and being grateful for ever having shared the company of such men.
-Clint T.