John Edward "Jack" Parker

I have enjoyed Jack's friendship for over forty years and I plan to continue that tradition. Many times, Jack made his season tickets available to my family during Cub and Cardinal series, so as he put it, "my little scrubby", my son, could come to St. Louis and see his Cubs and get a great burger. Remember lots of antique deals and good times and shared knowledge with Jack over the years. This one truly hurts.

knew Jack for many years from his great restaurant and seeing him at Fairmount Park race track. He loved horse racing. Jack will be missed.

A great loss to many of us who had the distinct pleasure of knowing and working with Jack. His wit, knowledge, and good advice, will be missed.
The last time I saw him, just a few weeks ago, he inscribed a copy of the book of Gaslight Square photos from back in the day: "It was fun while it lasted." That familiar phrase now has extra resonance, for the duration.

Such sad news. Jack's creations, the pub and the Indian wares upstairs, have had a deep impact on my life. I made many friends and memories, and an developed an ongoing love of Southwestern culture and art. I live there today. My sympathies to Fred, other family members, and all the staff, past and present. I fondly remember it all.

I first met Jack in 1968 in his pub. We did business together with Indian arts and crafts. We became friends! If you ever saw the black and white photo of the closed O'Connell's on the wall of his shop I took that and gave it to him as a gift. One day after more than a decade after meeting, Jack moved in to his 'new' home one house away from me and my family. We became neighbors and better friends. No better man has ever lived than Jack Parker.

There will never be another Jack Parker. He was just too special of a man. Gave me my first waitress job at O'Connell's during Gaslight Square period. I didn't know one beer from another and didn't drink. Working with Jack, Nora and Joe changed my life forever. So many memories over the years. He was so proud of his kids as they grew up and he made our friend Mary Ann very happy. He will be missed by many people he touched.

I first met Jack Parker, my brother in law, one evening at OConnells Pub along with my husband (his brother Fred Parker). We were all partying and Jack and I started dancing right there in the middle of the restaurant. Fred said you cant dance in here and Jack said we could do anything we wanted to and turned the background music on high and partied on down. It was great. Jack was a great brother in law and always treated me well. I loved his unique laugh. I will miss hearing that and that...

Well ,you sure did have a great run. Never met a finer fellow Jack, and hope to see you at the big track in the sky someday....

A finer man you'd never meet. My favorite Jack Parker story was taking my kids to Fairmont Park (wife was out of town) and sat with Jack for the first race, we screamed loudly as the Monster came across for the win. Jack turned to my two little ones shouted with excitement; "you kids wanna get in the picture?" After a quick pic in the winners circle, a thunderous storm hit and racing was suspended for the evening.
What a kind soul ! - Requiescant en Pace, Jack Parker!