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Joseph E Parker

January 03, 1944 - February 04, 2011

Joseph E Parker

Joseph E. Parker; January 3rd, 1944 - February 4th, 2011, born in Fort Pierce, Florida. He is survived by his wife and high-school sweetheart of 46yrs, Karen C. Parker, his father, Isaac Edward Parker, 94, sister Ruby Mae Little and husband Charlie Little of Orange Park, FL, his two children: daughter Christine Parker of Port Saint Lucie, FL, son Edward Leland Parker and wife Jennifer of Fort Edward, NY, and his two grandchildren, Ethan Edward Parker,7 and Amelia Elizabeth Parker, 3. He was a second father in spirit to Terry McCollum and Jeff Horwitz of Fort Pierce, FL and his beloved dog “ghost”. He was a member of the well known Summerlin family who were early settlers of the lower Indian River. He was a full time barber for over 30 yrs, and later earned his real estate license along with a certificate in air conditioning @ the now Indian River State College. In later years he worked for Wells Fargo. True to his family roots he loved the river and was a part-time commercial fisherman. Some of the happiest summers in the late 1960’s thru 1970’s were spent with family and friends living in a cabin he built on a spoil island in the Indian River. Big fish fry’s, sitting around a campfire telling wild mangrove monster stories, and playing his guitar were among his favorite (ours too) things to do in the summer. He would commute via boat to the mainland each day to work in his barber shop. He loved reading as this was his only entertainment while growing up out in an orange grove without a TV. He was a wonderful musician and loved the blues. While in his teens at Dan McCarthy High School he helped start a well known local band called the “Tomcats”. Many of his childhood friends remained close friends throughout his life and have been of great comfort to his wife and family during his last days.
Music continued to play a large role throughout his life. He taught countless children how to play guitar and to those interested he would teach his favorite board game, chess.
He received great joy from bringing neighborhood children to church.
As I write this obituary I can hear a blues song by Derek Truck “Don’t Miss Me When I’m Gone” playing in the house. I’m positive that he doesn’t want anyone to be sad with his passing but he will be missed by many. We can find joy in his passing knowing that his pain has finally ended and that he is now in heaven with his mother, Louise Summerlin-Parker who passed away just 1 yr and a week prior, at the age of 98 , his grandmother and 4uncles, along with other great friends of his that have passed before him. Rest in Peace.

Funeral Information

Later in the year a celebration of life will be held in his honor and announced for all to come.

Donations Information

His family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, Indian River Preservation or the Human Society.

Joseph E Parker

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