John Parker

John Elvin Parker of Groveton, TX, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 12, at Houston Hospice at the age of 78, after a battle with leukemia.
He was born on Sept. 26, 1933 in Groveton, TX, on Magee Bend, to the late Jake Jefferson Parker and Hester (Wright) Parker.
John graduated from Jeff Davis High School in Houston and served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a combat flight engineer in the Korea. After he was discharged, John attended Sam Houston State University for his undergraduate and masters' studies in agricultural education, and did his doctorate work at Texas A&M University. He spent many years as an influential agriculture teacher in HISD. He owned San Felipe Texaco in Houston for 17 years. Afterwards, he taught Animal Science as a professor at Houston Community College.
He's survived by his two children with his late ex-wife, Aurora Rodriguez-Parker: Pamela Parker Caird and her husband Michael, of Liberty Hill, TX; and John Parker Jr. and his wife, Sheryl, of Sugar Land, TX. John had five grandchildren, Allison, Abigail and Lance Parker; and Callum and Rory Caird. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and numerous good friends.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Opal (Parker) McGraw, and his brothers, Jake Jefferson Parker Jr. and Donald Wayne Parker.
A funeral service will be held at the Cartwright Funeral Home at 1019 West First Street in Groveton, Texas, on Thursday, February 16, at 11 a.m. A viewing will be held on the Wednesday night before the service, between 6 and 8 p.m. A memorial celebration will take place on the following Saturday at his son's home.
Memorial donations may be made to:
Texas FFA at Texas FFA Foundation or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Texas Gulf Coast Chapter.