Lawrence Newton Parker Jr., 88, died on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Moore County Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, N.C., of natural causes. Larry was born Nov. 20, 1932, in Ilion, N.Y., the son of Lawrence Newton Sr. and Corletta May (Steele) Parker. He was a 1950 graduate of Ilion High School and completed his bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland in 1976.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mary (DeGasperin) Parker, who passed Sept. 14, 2012, and his sister, Linda. He is survived by his brother, Jim, and sister, Karen. After marrying Mary on Sept. 11, 1957, the couple traveled the world as an Air Force family while raising three sons, Todd, Scott and Michael. Larry “Big Fig” Parker was a fighter pilot with over 3,500 hours in F-86, F-102, F-101 and the RF-101. He flew 100 missions over North Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 10 Air Medals during aerial combat in 1968-1969. He retired after 25 years of service as a lieutenant colonel in 1979.
Larry was particularly proud of his sons and grandchildren, Jackie, Emily, Sam, Molly, Reilly, Ethan, Lindsay and Stevie. He held his in-laws, Lance and Emma Steelman, of Kingwood, in highest regards and spoke of them frequently during his last days. Their hospitality, support and love after Mary passed was always appreciated.
A graveside service will be celebrated at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Howesville, Preston County, at 10 am. Saturday, July 10. The family requests that any donations be made in Larry’s memory to Saint Sebastian Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 519, Kingwood, WV, 26537.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
Condolences:
www.bolesfuneralhome.com
