The Rev. Andrew David Parker
1957-2018
The Reverend Andrew David Parker brought peace and light to everyone he met. On December 18, 2018, he passed into the nearer presence of our Lord, leaving behind a legacy of joy, gentleness, and deep love.
Andy was born on June 28, 1957 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Harry and Phyllis Spidy Parker. He grew up there with his brother, Kevin, and in 1969 the family moved to Lubbock, Texas. After receiving his Bachelor's from Texas Tech in 1978 and a Master of Horticulture from Texas A&M in 1983, Andy discerned a call to ministry in the Episcopal church. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 11, 1989.
It was while preparing for ordination at the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale that Andy met Elizabeth Welch, whom he promptly asked to marry him. For thirty-one years, Liz and Andy walked together, beginning their ministry in 1989 at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene, Texas. While there, they celebrated the birth of their sons Will in 1989 and Ben in 1992. In 1993, they moved to Amarillo to serve at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and in 1994 their youngest son Caleb was born. The encouraging, conscientious man others knew as a priest and friend was this and more as a husband and father. He is a hero to all his sons.
In 2001, Andy was called to serve as Rector of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Lake Jackson. There, as part of a rich ministry, Andy and Liz cultivated creativity as a pathway for spiritual growth. Andy used poetry and contemplative devotion to take him deeper into the mystery of God, and he showed this path to many others. Andy had a creative spirit and was the author of many poems, songs, and sermons. He also wrote "Keeping the Promise: A Mentoring Program for Confirmation in the Episcopal Church" and introduced the catechumenate in every church he served.
In 2016, Andy was called to Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Houston, where he led the congregation through the loss of their building to Hurricane Harvey and continued to serve until the cancer in his body would no longer let him.
Andy was a man of gentleness and strength, of intense personal discipline, with a passion for forming disciples; he was a brilliant thinker and insightful poet; he was boldly goofy and free of cynicism; he had a deep love of creation, of cooking and jazz and tea and cycling. He will be achingly missed by those who survive him: father Harry; wife Liz; sons Will, Caleb, Ben and daughter-in-law Qingzi Cai; granddaughter Cordelia; brother Kevin and sister-in-law Renée; niece Amy; nephew James; and so many dear friends.
Andy's funeral will be held at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, 6221 Main St. in Houston, on December 29, at 11:00 AM. Donations in memory of Andy can be made to the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Rebuilding Fund, 16000 Barkers Point Lane #175, Houston, TX 77079. To give online, visit www.emmanuel-houston.org/stewardship and click "Give Online."
A Sacred Choice Funeral Home is honored to serve the Parker family. For more information please visit www.ASacredChoice.com or call 713-637-4933.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Dec. 23, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Parker

Sponsored by A Sacred Choice - Houston.

11 Entries

Kathy Montes

January 18, 2025

While walking on the beach today in Galveston, I found this rock, wondering if it´s the same Andy? Condolences to the family.

Maridel M

January 14, 2019

My family and I are blessed beyond words to have had the honor of knowing Andy. He made the world a better place.

Angela Hock

January 11, 2019

My heart is heavy with this news, received today.Our limited time as co-workers in the Diocese of NW Texas allowed me to get to know you and greatly value you. Your wonderful, warm presence never failed to engage others and reveal God's love. Thank you for your faithful search to grow and to love.
Go well, loving servant and friend.
Angela Hock
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Joseph Dempsey

December 28, 2018

I send deepest condolences to the Parker family. I know you can take comfort in the legacy of Andy's life and find peace in knowing he is with Christ. God bless you and keep you all.

Jones

December 25, 2018

Sending my condolences to the family. May God give you strength and peace during this difficult time. (Psalm 29:11)

Me and Andy in a high school play.

Bruce Ansley

December 24, 2018

Dear Andy,

I remember the first time I met you at Mackenzie Junior High. I believe it was in Spanish lab, and when I asked you where you were from, I thought you said "Bottlesville." I had to look on a map to realize your family had moved to Lubbock, Texas, from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. You didn't talk like my other friends, act like my other friends, or laugh like my other friends. I think that's why I was drawn to you -- you were like no other person I had ever met before (or since, quite frankly).

And your humor. Without your ebullient personality, as the new kid in school, you could easily have become a target of bullies. However, I don't remember a single person that didn't like you once they met you. I can't remember a time that I was with you when you weren't bubbling over with exuberance, joy, or off-the-wall humor. Your "joie de vivre" was positively infectious. Your creativity and intellect were second to none.

And your acting. You were the living embodiment of the axiom: "There are no small parts, only small actors." I've never seen anyone extract so much meaning and humor out of horticultural terms as you did as the Gardener in "The Importance of Being Earnest." My favorite memory with you on stage, however, was when we performed "Major Bullshot-Gorgeous" outside at Tech Terrace Park. You played my poor suffering slave and my character, Prolix, was a veritable font of insults directed at you. You cowered at my very voice. In this particular performance, when I tried to use my cane to hook you around the neck to bring you close to me for another berating, the handle of the cane snapped off. I looked at the broken end of my cane and shouted, "Why you littletermite!" You stayed completely in character and grabbed the broken end of the cane and held it up to your neck as if to say, "Sorry, master, for breaking your cane -- you can still drag me with it, though." And, to the laughter of the audience, you followed me off-stage "struggling" against the broken cane you held at your neck.

And your songs. I always enjoyed when you sat at a piano and sang your original off-beat songs, such as Virginia Peanuts and I Don't Love You Linda McAden. I remember Matt, Phil and I singing your songs at the top of our lungs when we drove to Abilene for a workshop -- so much fun. Your songs were silly, delightfully strange, and wonderful. Just like you.

And your spirituality. I remember joining a youth prayer group as simply another way to meet girls, but when you joined, it was to find another way to deepen your faith and understanding. You never foisted your religious beliefs on others but never shied away from sharing your faith if asked. I wasn't surprised at all to learn that you had become the Rector at an Episcopal Church.

And your friendship. You had a charming way of making everyone feel as though he or she was your best friend when you were with them. And maybe for that moment we really were. You always made me feel as though you were interested in what I was doing or what I thought. And the amazing part is I think you were genuinely interested.

And your humanity. You have had more than your share of hardship and suffering that this mortal life has to offer from Liz's cancer, to the Houston Flood that devastated your church home, to the cancer that ultimately took your life. You underwent the trials of Job, and yet to my knowledge never wavered in your positive attitude, faith, and joy.

So, you left us, Andy. But you will remain with us always. You provided us with a lifetime of memories guaranteed to last a lifetime. I love you and I miss you. Safe home my friend.

--Bruce

Me and Andy in a high school play.

Bruce Ansley

December 24, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

LaDon Paige

December 23, 2018

Our deepest sympathies to Liz and sons. Such fond memories of your precious family at St. Andrews. Especially the year Andy and I coached kindergarten soccer for Will and Clay because no one else would! May you continue to feel the peace that only God can give. Love LaDon, Clay and Clarke Paige

December 23, 2018

With deepest sympathy. Tom, Dolores, Lisa and Lauri Lovvorn

December 22, 2018

Very sorry for the lost of your loved one May God the hearer of prayers comfort you during this difficult time and give you strength. 2 cor. 1:4

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