MELVIN PARKER

RURAL GOLDEN CITY-Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church of Lamar for Melvin Chester Parker, 82, rural Golden City, who died Wednesday evening, July 13, 2016, surrounded by his family at Good Shepherd Nursing Home. Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Golden City.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home, Lamar.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Good Shepherd Nursing Home or Lymphoma Society, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include Bonnie, his wife of 63 years, of the home; three sons, Doug Parker and wife Sharon, Scott Parker and wife Julie and Brady Parker, all of Lamar; a daughter, Cheryl Parker-Reed, Lamar; five brothers, Norman Parker and wife Marlene, Golden City, J.C. Parker and wife Margie, Republic, Stanley Parker and wife Henrietta, Golden City, Jim Parker and wife Lois, Lockwood and Jerre Parker and wife Maureen, Houston, Texas; a stepbrother, Bob Bitney and wife Anh, Texas; a stepsister, Janis Kasper and husband Ralph, Harrisonville; two sisters-in-law, Betty Parker, Golden City and Ann Parker, Lockwood; 10 grandchildren, Nathan Parker, Brandon Parker, Darin Parker, Carrie Thieman, Chet Parker, Michael Parker, Garrett Parker, Gabe Reed, Ashley Parker and Derek Parker; 12 great-grandchildren and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Alden Parker and Rex Parker and three sisters, Loretta Gardner, Reba Oberman and Lynda Cearnal.

Mr. Parker was born March 22, 1934, in Barton County, to Earl and Ilah (John) Parker. A natural athlete, he excelled in sports in the Golden City and Lockwood school systems and he attended Pitt State on a basketball scholarship. Throughout his life, he supported and encouraged many young athletes, especially enjoying the time spent cheering for his grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman who cut wood, fished and hunted turkey, quail and deer. Always interested and involved in his community, he was twice honored as “Citizen of the Year”. He was a Rotarian for many years and an active member of First Christian Church of Lamar.

He married Bonnie Stevenson on March 29, 1953, in Jasper and they made their home and reared their four children in Barton County. He enjoyed a long career in the lumber business, working at various locations including Stocker Propane and Wolf Lumber Company in Golden City, Oneal Lumber in Republic, Kirk Lumber in Nevada and managing Community Lumber in Lamar before owning and operating Community Home Center for several years. He later worked for TapJac, Barton's in Carthage and Isenhower Lumber in Lamar before retiring in 2015 due to illness. His vast knowledge of lumber and construction, genuine dedication to serving others and his cheerful disposition created life-long friendships. In 1996, he and his wife purchased a farm near Golden City where they enjoyed country living and operated a dog kennel, breeding labs and golden retrievers.