Cary Parker Jr.

Cary Parker Jr., a 38-year resident of Alaska, died of natural causes Nov. 21, 2007, at his Anchorage home. He was 77.
A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, with visitation from noon to 1 p.m., at Leake Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, 430 N. Hoyt St. The Rev. T.A. Moore will officiate. A second service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Gary, Ind., at Bethlehem A.M.E. Zion Church, 650 W. 19th Ave. The Rev. O.C. Comer will officiate. Arrangements in Gary are with Guy & Allen Funeral Directors Inc. A viewing will be from noon to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Cary was born March 23, 1930, to Cary Parker Sr. and Sarah Chandler-Parker in Opelika, Ala. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Gary in 1949. In January 1950, Cary enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He received his honorable discharge in 1974 at the rank of master sergeant. While in the service he was awarded many decorations and awards and earned numerous training certificates in the field of transportation management.
Upon retirement from the military, he joined Weaver Bros. Inc. as a transportation specialist. Cary also worked for the State of Alaska as a tariff and transportation specialist. At the time of his passing Cary was the CFO for Energy Specialists of Alaska.
Cary was a 33rd-degree Mason and a member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Anchorage. He served on the board of trustees at Leake Temple A.M.E. Zion Church.
Cary was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Carrie Mae; daughters, Eileen "Penny" Parker and Sharon Parker; and grandson, Andre Parker.
He leaves to mourn his loss his sister, Elizabeth Parker Jones of Gary; son, Cary Parker III of Anchorage; daughters, the Rev. Cristhal Diane Bennett of Emeryville, Calif., and Louise Klaasen (Tim) Leaf of Anchorage; aunts, Janie Wyatt and Lillie Chandler of Gary, Geraldine Chandler of Jefferson City, Mo.; uncles, Otis Chandler of Gary and Harding Chandler Columbus, Ohio; cousins, Fred Jones of Gary and Carol (Irvin) Barns of Anchorage; sister-in-law, Ferrie Mae Fanuiel of Philadelphia; beloved Roderick Williams of Maple Falls, Wash., Raymond and Barbara Rouzan of Anchorage, who were like his sons and daughter; and grandchildren, Charles Haskins Jr. of Coolidge, Ariz., Reality S. Canty (Leni Matthews) of Chicago, Jahi Jack, Cary (Keidra Harris) Parker IV, Kjersti Parker, Shimone H. Canty, Jyrmayne F. Canty, Jesse (Telesha) A. Bennett, Makeesia Mullins of Anchorage, and Zhnrya Reeves of Williamsport, Pa.; great-grandchildren, Victoria Sweat, Zahkia L. Jones, Charles H. Haskins III, Eileen O. Haskins, Cary J. Parker V, Anthony E. Parker, Ethan J. Parker, P. Kaden Mikes, Marcel K. Mikes of Anchorage, Stephanie M. Holmes of Tuckahoe, N.Y., Aikyu N. Canty, Xiaja X. Canty of Williamsport, Myima Z. Canty, Peter Holmes Jr. of Chicago, Dante Jack of Minneapolis, Imanna N. Canty, Harry S. Parham, Ejipt T. Canty of Atlanta, Aaliyah D. Canty, Jalijah J.A. Bennett, Taelahna T.L. Bennett, Zanavia Haskins of Coolidge; and great-great-granddaughter, Qui-arrah Sweat of Anchorage. He leaves behind a host of other family members and beloved friends throughout the United States including, companion and special friend, Hattie Gardner and family, James and Judy Fisher, Mattie Powell and Vonnie Gaither, all of Anchorage.
Cary will be laid to rest beside his loving parents at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Gary.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Local funeral arrangements are with Witzleben Family Funeral Homes.