J. Parker

Services are scheduled at 2:00 P.M. Monday, August 18 at Faith Baptist Church for J. B. Parker, Artesia, New Mexico. Mr. Parker, 71, died Friday, August 15, 2003 at Artesia Good Samaritan Center. Revs. M. J. Elliott, Michael Duff, and Russ Willis will officiate at the services with burial at Hagerman Cemetery in Hagerman, N.M. Pallbearers will be nephews Bucky Parent, Omer L. Parker, and Marcus Parker; brothers-in-law Sammy Boyce and Wally McCorkle and close family friends Brent Patterson, Dan Lewis, and Bob Hendrickson. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Smith, Dr. Owen C. Taylor, Dr. Henry L. Wall, Don Dennis, Rick Gromatzky, Hollice Glass, Ronnie Letcher, and all of J.B. and Ruby's loyal customers and employees. Mr. Parker was born June 4, 1932 in Pittsburg, Oklahoma; the son of Columbus Elige Parker and Lester Mills Parker. He and his family moved to the Pecos Valley in 1943. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict and attained the rank of corporal. On March 22, 1955 he was married to Ruby Harrison in Hagerman. Mr. Parker was self-employed, owning Parker Lumber Hardware, Parker Grocery, and Parker Brothers Gulf Service Station in Artesia. He also worked numerous years in the oilfield and later in accounting, and attended Faith Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers J. C. , Omer, Johnie, and Wilford Parker; by a sister Opal Dennis Tydlaska; and by infant twin brother and sister. Survivors include his wife Ruby Parker of the family home; sons Lynn Parker and wife Cynthia of Chicago, Illinois, Mike Parker of Artesia, and Danny Parker and wife Susie of Artesia; a brother Emmitt Parker and wife Ruth of Artesia; grandchildren Jessica Parker and Madison Parker both of Artesia, Katie Verhines of Baltimore, Maryland, and Toby Verhines of Chicago, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Faith Baptist Church Building Fund at 401 5. 20th St., Artesia, New Mexico 88210.