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BORN
1960
DIED
2018
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Randall Parker Obituary
February 13, 1960 – November 4, 2018
Greenville
Randall "Randy" Erickson Parker of Greenville passed away Sunday at his home surrounding by his family. Randy was born on February 13, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois, the second son and third child of three born to Richard Norman Parker and Pauline Catherine Erickson. Randy resided in Lansing, Illinois for eighteen years, and was educated in the schools of Cook County, Illinois. He learned common sense and what it takes to make it in this world from his father and on the streets of south Chicago.
Randy graduated from Thornton Fractional South High School in 1978, captain of the football team and looking for something higher and better. His father taught him that this world owes you nothing and anything you get in life will have to be earned. He never forgot that lesson and stressed it to all of his students at East Carolina University. Randy went to Hope College in Holland, Michigan looking to extend his football career, but soon realized it was time to move on. He then transferred to Northern Illinois University in 1979 and graduated with a degree in Economics in 1982.
In 1982, Randy matriculated to the University of Kentucky for graduate studies and earned his PH.D. in Economics in 1986. Upon graduation, at the age of twenty-six, Dr. Parker came to East Carolina University to begin his career as an academic economist. It has been his only professional position as he worked at ECU for thirty-five years. Randy gave the best years of his life to the people of Eastern North Carolina and East Carolina University.
He wishes all to know just how grateful he was to the people of this region and state. They gave him a home, a life, and a career and for that he is forever thankful. Randy wished to say please forgive him if he has harmed anyone in any way.
Dr. Parker, was preceded in death by his beloved and unselfish parents, Richard and Paula Parker. All they ever wanted in life was more for their children than what they had.
He is survived by the greatest source of joy in his life, his wife of twenty-four years, Monica Sullivan Parker. They met at an ECU football game and had their first date at another football game against Syracuse on September 5, 1992. Monica's love, support and care demonstrates just what a truly good person his wife is. They had fun together and enjoyed life.
In addition, Dr. Parker, is survived by his beloved children, his son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Ashley of Winterville; daughter, Sara of New Bern and her twin sister, Jennifer and daughter-in-law, Catie of Duxbury, Massachusetts. Grandsons, Sullivan, Crawford and Tyson, sons of Chris and Ashley of Winterville.
Dr. Parker is also survived by his sister, Paula Ruben and husband, Paul of Brooklyn, New York and his brother, Richard and wife, Ginger of Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. Parker has many cherished nephews and nieces whom he loved deeply. Surviving Dr. Parker are his nephews, Brandon Parker Ruben and wife, Lianna of Washington, DC, and Richard Parker, Jr. and wife, Megan of Louisville, Kentucky, and nieces, Audrey Jean Chen and husband, Howard of Roanoke, Virginia and Dr. Ellen Holister Camp and husband, Brad of Johnson City, Tennessee.
Dr. Parker would also like to include his students in his list of loved ones. He devoted his career to giving them the tools and mental attitude to have a better life and carry on his legacy by being people of integrity, truth and hard work.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter's Catholic Church with his interment directly following in St. Peter's Columbarium. After the funeral mass there will be a gathering and greeting at the Spiritual Life Center at St. Peter's Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be directed to the Dr. Randall and Monica Parker Free Market Economics Scholarship Endowment through ECU University Advancement website or make checks payable to ECU Foundation, Inc. with Dr. Parker Economics Endowment/ EC 3198 in the memo line. Mail to ECU Economics Department, Mailstop 580, Brewster A-427, 1000 C 5th street, Greenville, North Carolina 27858.
Condolences may be directed to Joyner's Funeral Home at www.joyners.net
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Randall Parker
Sponsored by Joyner's Funeral Home.
Vance
November 1, 2023
Thomas Kelly
February 3, 2022
What a great guy. RIP Dr. Randall E. Parker. I was one of his students. Thank you for all of your help and for inspiring me and many others, I know.
Mike Ricks
November 8, 2020
Professor Parker........you provoked me to think for myself and not let someone do it for me. I remember telling you I was a communist, but you taught me how to think like a capitalist. We did not agree on many levels, but you taught me how to think like an economist, and I always received top marks in all your classes. I will truly miss you.---Mike Ricks, Class of 2000
Jamelle Ushery
November 28, 2018
A classmate told me of Dr. Parker's passing a few days ago. I'm at a loss because I was in Greenville in January and I stopped in to see him (like I always did when I was in town) and I brought along my son who was a newborn when I was in grad school.
It means the world to me to hear him day "You did good kid". I'll always remember the conversations in his office and all the conversations during my pop up visits. God needed to opine on your On The Margin articles and brought you home.
Godspeed Dr. Parker, you will be missed.
Lauri Fish
November 11, 2018
I love this man, present tense intended! His personality larger than lifeand considering the life he's lived that's saying so muchmade me and my children frequent guests in his home with Monica, Chris, Jennifer and Sarah. As one of Monica's former students and long-time family, Randy inherited my brood and my dramas with love, support, and an an irrepressible spirit. Thanksgivings with them was always open to many other friends in the Greenville community who hailed from places that separated them from traditional families, providing home as well as hospitality. Their home is both a gift and a haven. Monica and Randy are my family and learning of his illness represents the strongest sense of separation I've felt since moving back to South Dakota. I'm wishing I could be there to share amazing stories and hug Monica. Nothing but love . . . ❤
Steve Starling
November 10, 2018
I did not know Dr. Parker on a personal level but I will never forget the day he said, ...it's simple, if you can sell more, you make more of that product... unless you're B's Barbecue. He'll always be remembered as one of my favorite instructors and a fixture around town behind the wheel of his Bronco.
God speed, Professor Parker
Robert S
November 10, 2018
I had several of Dr. Parker's classes when I attended ECU. He was not only a great professor, but also a great person.
He wanted students to learn the material, but also be people of good character. He was one of those professors who didn't sugar coat anything, and would tell it like it is.
I would stop by his office during some semesters when I didn't have his class just to see how he was doing, and he never forgot my name no matter how long it had been since I saw him.
I'm sure he is up in Heaven right now telling someone about what caused the Great Depression. I remember he printed everyone in class his entire paper, and told us it was one of the papers he was most proudest pieces of work.
Rest in Peace, Dr. Parker.
November 9, 2018
R.I.P Randy I WILL MISS YOU I HOPE YOU GONE A MEET SENNA IN THE PASS WAY .. I LOVE YOU FROM ALL YOUR FRIENDS FROM MONTREAL CANADA I LOVE YOU MONICA FROM PAUL AND ROSA XXXXXXXXXXXX.
Larry Lombardo
November 9, 2018
So sorry to hear of Randy's passing. He was a special person in our lives during our time together at Northern Illinois University. He will be with all of us forever. God Bless him.
Joseph Lee
November 9, 2018
I am sorry to hear about the loss of Randy, my condolences to his family. Randy will always be remembered by his NIU Lacrosse brothers. Our prayers and thoughts are with him and his family.
Vance, Yvonne Gardner
November 7, 2018
So sorry for your loss. We will keep you all in our prayers.
Lori Schwartz
November 6, 2018
What great memories I have of Randy during our time at TF South. Our senior year, when Randy was captain of the football team, we only won one game - our Homecoming game, which was rainy and a muddy mess. You knew those of us who were going to Homecoming with a football player! I was Randy's date - and after the football game, full of mud and all, Randy came and gave me a big hug. My dad's comments after the game, was 'At least I know where his hands were!' What a kind soul - knowing him in high school, it does not surprise me at all that he went on to be an Economics professor and an author as well. My thoughts and prayers are with Randy's family and friends. All of us that knew him will miss him ... even those of us that have not been a part of his life for many years.
Scott Coffey
November 6, 2018
My heart sank when I read this. Dr Parker was one of those educators and people that had a profound impact on the lives he touched. Not only did he have an uncanny ability to make the most complex of concepts seem easy, he was able to translate that knowledge to his students. I reached out to him several years ago (15+ years after graduating) and not only did he remember me, but he remembered details about my family. That is a gift. I am saddened that I won't be able to do that again.
Since graduating in 1997 I've gone on to many different schools and had many different instructors, none have ever held a candle to Dr Parker. I can only imagine the discussions occurring with Friedman and Keynes now. I am a better person for having known him.
Mark Larson
November 6, 2018
I was thinking of cancelling my Ridge Monte Bello Allocation this year but that isn't possible now. Another journey you encouraged me to take.
We thank you and Monica for all the wonderful culinary experiences and fun.
You are one of the few people who remembers the Thornton American Legion Fish Fry, Glugg, The Blackhawks and so much more.
Thank you for your financial advice, political discussions, 2 seminal quotes; one from Formula 1 and one from The Godfather II.
I can think of no one better to have started a wine journey with...
It is no mean achievement in the modern world to be an individual, original thinker and force for good.
I will miss you greatly South Side friend.
Say Hi to Milton Friedman for me. I'm sure you'll have many happy discussions.
November 6, 2018
May the God of all comfort sustain your family during the days ahead Psalms 119:76
Chip Hessenflow
November 6, 2018
I am at that time in life where some who mentored me are passing. Dr. Parker, along with Dr. Bishop and Dr. Ziegler, taught me my first economics classes at East Carolina University. ECU had a young faculty at that time and Parker was a strong teacher. Parker had a great sense of humor and offered the perfect discipline for young people starting in life. I didn't realize I took his class his first year of teaching. I changed my major to economics after his class. The world lost a man who made a difference in my life and many young persons' lives. The world lost a Northern Illinois University graduate. The world lost a Cubs fan. At least he got to see NIU play in a BCS Bowl game- Orange Bowl. At least he got to see the Cubs win a World Series. Who says that isn't a full life?
While I transferred to George Mason University, had a wonderful experience, and am very proud to be a Patriot, my heart is divided. ECU is part of my growing years. Go, Pirates!
Rosemary Ellis
November 6, 2018
I am saddened to hear of Randys passing as I have many good memories of him and his family growing up. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family at this difficult time.
Mark Alexander
November 6, 2018
Dr Parker was my favorite professor at ECU. He wasn't afraid to "tell it like it is." I always respected him and took his advice to heart. Deepest Condolences to Monica and the family. Mark W Alexander
Doug Spears
November 6, 2018
This is very sad to hear. Dr Parker always made class interesting and easy to understand, and was a big influence on me while I majored in Econ at ECU.
My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues at ECU and beyond.
Doug Spears
class of '96
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