Parker Whedon

Parker Whedon
Mr. Whedon, 86, of Charlotte, passed away March 16, due to complications from Parkinson's disease.
Parker was born June 3, 1925 in Buffalo, NY to the late Colonel Spencer Whedon and Helen Parker Whedon of Charlotte. Parker's family moved to Charlotte in 1929 where he resided at his family home, the historical Charles Parker House on Central Avenue. Parker attended Central High School in Charlotte, and later graduated from Darlington School, Rome, GA. in 1942. Parker entered UNC Chapel Hill in January, 1943, but was called to duty his sophomore year in 1944, where he served his country as naval gunner aboard the USS Wisconsin. After two years of service, Parker was honorably discharged in 1946, receiving commendation and award for sighting the first enemy plane to attack the Pacific fleet. Parker immediately returned to UNC, where he majored in philosophy.
Skipping his senior year altogether, Parker entered UNC's School of Law in 1948 with the second highest mark on the entrance examination and later making Law Review. Upon graduation, Parker was admitted to the bar in Aug 13, 1951, where he began his law practice in Charlotte. Like most young lawyers, Parker leased an office in the original Law Building adjacent to the old court house which he maintained for over 30 years until it was demolished. His practice initially was general in nature, but over time was narrowed to focus upon real estate and family estate law. Parker practiced law for over 50 years, retiring Oct 13, 2004.
Parker was passionately engaged in turkey hunting since 1950, hunting in over 10 different states. He was considered the best turkey hunter in the Southeast. In 1984, Parker founded 'Old Masters Publishers' for the purpose of republishing three of the old master turkey hunting books that greatly propagated his hunting practice on a national level. Parker was also a great turkey call maker, founding 'Old Master Custom Call Makers' in 1990. Parker was rated by an eminent authority as the 'best of the best' wingbone call maker, his specialty being vintage callers which he perfected over the years.
Parker also had a passion and lifelong love of rivers and the great outdoors, which lead to many valued friendships across the United States. Parker was a longtime environmentalist, river advocate and activist for the Catawba River Basin. He instigated a movement for a wild turkey restoration program in North Carolina in 1959 and was featured and pictured in many newspaper articles, books and magazines over his lifetime. In addition to turkey hunting & call making, Parker enjoyed fishing, canoeing, excavating Indian artifacts, listening to classical music, playing bridge and just being in the woods. Parker was also a church lay-reader and devoted father, attending all sporting events of his children and ensuring all were exposed to the outdoors by owning their own hunting & fishing gear, boats and even kayaks to explore the whitewater rivers.
In addition to being a member of all Bar Associations, Parker was a member of the NC Trial Lawyers Association, Charlotte Civitan Club, American Wild Turkey Hunting Dog Association, and served on the Board of the Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Commission for many years. Parker was also President of several organizations including the Mecklenburg County Young Democrats, North Carolina Symphony Society, the Real Running River Protection Society and North Carolina Turkey Hunters Association.
Parker is survived by his wife, Virginia Simpson Whedon; and five children, Dorothy Stapleton of Moorseville, IN, Parker Whedon of Georgetown, SC, Arthur Whedon and wife, Laura of Charlotte, NC, Missy Hall and husband, Neal of Charlotte, NC and Bill Whedon and wife, Betsy of Corning, NY. He is also survived by eight grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on Thursday, March 22, at 11:00, where Parker is to be buried alongside his family. A visitation will also be held at 5:30pm, Wednesday, March 21, at the home of Arthur and Laura Whedon. TH Robertson Funeral Service Lic. is serving the family. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Charlotte and The Catawba River Conservancy.