Ira Floyd Parker

Ira Floyd Parker
of Marathon, New York
Ira Floyd Parker, of Marathon, New York, passed away peacefully at his home on January 13, 2008, where he had been cared for by loving family and friends for several days. Ira Floyd was born on January 27, 1920 in New York City, the first born son of Floyd Manley and Caroline Elizabeth Grega Parker. He was a graduate of Marathon Central School, Class of 1936, and was married to the former Edith Ross in 1941. This marriage was to last until her death in 1999, only weeks prior to their 59th anniversary. He was a lifelong resident of the Lapeer/Marathon area with the exception of the years of WWII when he resided in Binghamton. He served in the Navy in WWII. He began his 40-year career as a technical writer and editor with Link Aviation in May 1941 and retired from Singer Link on February 1, 1982, the day he became eligible for Social Security. He remained a personal friend of members of the Link family until his death. Ira was proud of having worked from the age of 14 until illness forced his second retirement from Polkville Crushed Stone at the age of 83. Among his many civic activities were serving as Mayor of the Village of Marathon from 1955 to 1959, member of the Marathon Central School Board from 1949 until 1956, Supervisor of the Town of Marathon from January 1974 through December 1979, and member of the Board of Assessment Review. He was the oldest life member of the Marathon Fire Department, having joined at age 17, a longtime member of Eastern Star, and a 58-year member of the Masons. He was raised to the degree of Master Mason in the Order of the Free and Accepted Masons in December 1949. He served as Master of the Marathon Masonic Lodge in 1960-61 and again in 1976-77. He held the Grand Lodge of New York State Appointment of District Deputy Grand Master for the Cortland Madison District in 1977-1978. As a life member of OES, he served as District Deputy Grand Lecturer in 1967, and as patron in 1959, 1960, 1961, 1966, 1973 and 2005. Ira loved the outdoors - hunting, fishing, golf, camping, and the wildlife at "the ranch" - deer, turkeys, rabbits, skunks. He loved boxing and never missed watching Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. He read every book he could get his hands on, every magazine, every newspaper. He could often be found sitting on the bench outside the pharmacy, visiting with everyone who happened to pass by. He didn't want anyone to realize it was sometimes because he had to rest before he could make it to his car. One of his greatest joys in the last several months was his pool dates with nephew, Floyd Parker, and Harold and Curtis White. He was very proud of the fact that he was still winning when he last played only days before his death. Ira is survived by a daughter, Carol (Gary Robert) Verfuss, Solon; a son, John (Christine), Austin, Texas; ten grandchildren, Kirsten (Jeffrey) Parker, Gretchen (Jeffrey) Jewiss, both of Marathon, Erik (Jessica) Verfuss, Cortland, Heidi (Joel) Stanton, Jay (Lacy) Parker, Jennifer (Shannon) Burgess, and Wesley Parker, Georgia, Deborah (Richard) Batten and Johanna (Scott) Marx, Texas, and Gordon (Eberly) Parker, Illinois. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren, Andrew and Rachel Parker, Elizabeth Jewiss, Peter and Ally Verfuss, Ashton Marx, Colton and Kallahan Parker, and Gavin and Ross Parker; daughters-in-law, Judy Parker and Nancy Parker, Georgia; and sisters-in-law, Ardis Parker and Janis Parker, Marathon, and Betsey Raleigh, Vancouver, Washington; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by a son, Ira "Butch" Parker, Jr.; a grandson, Rodney Ross Parker; brothers, Clifton and John; and sister, Helen.
Calling hours will be from 5:30 until 7:00 at Marathon Presbyterian Church with a memorial service and Masonic service immediately following at 7:00 on Thursday, January 17. A fireman's service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Private interment will be at Parker Street Cemetery in Lapeer. Donations in Ira's memory may be made to Caring Community Hospice of Cortland, 11 Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, New York 13045, or First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 246, Marathon, N.Y.