Dave "The Cobra" Parker

I´m so sorry for your loss. Dave was a true gentleman who will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. RIP Dave.

Rip big guy, thanks for coming back to Cincy, and giving us 4 great years.
Frank Boles

RIP Big Fellow

To Family of Dave Parker,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Dave. I played football against as a freshman at Courter Tech were he ran me down after a pass. I than had the honor of being his teammate at Courter Tech. I recall the game at Middletown were he got hurt. He told me that you guys keep playing hard and you'll be okay. He gave my brother field tickets to a game he played at Philadelphia when he reached out to him. I appreciate him and his wife being so kind to my Mother when she visited their Popeyes on Reading Rd. RIH Cobra!!

To my Big Brother much love and many many memories. Much Love to the family. Love Anita C. Johnson

RIP Cousin Dave Parker Condolences to the family members. From 1st cousin O'Neal Edwards, Teresa Lynn Edwards and family members from Grenada Mississippi. The cousins always miss Dave and watch him play on tv. Enjoy a good game .

My most heartfelt condolences to all the family and friends .Grew up in the West End with Dave Parker , also hung out at Crosley Field waiting on Robinson , Pinson and Cardenas to come out after games.
Played against him in Jr. High , and was teamed up with him at Courter Tech .
Dave definitely was a gentle giant , was a great honor to have had him as friend and teammate .
Rest in heaven my brother , you will be truly missed

To the Family of Mr Parker. He was an amazing man who knew what it took to make it happen. He was the reason why I love baseball so very much and the Pirates. Watching him play, was poetry in motion. A true athlete with a touch of art. He was one with the game and Mr Parker didn´t let anything stand between him and the ball. Thank you, Mr Parker, for the memories. You were the one the Creator broke the mold for. There will never be another like you.

Dave Parker was a wonderful guy. My brother, Larry Smith played minor league along with Dave in Salem, Virginia. Dave excelled well! I thank God that a person
Of Dave´s caliber impressed me. He was surely a cobra May God bless his family
and acquaintances during this time of condolence. Lautrelle Smith/ Union SC

Condolences to the Parker family. Sorry to hear of `The Cobra´s´ death.

I met Dave in August of 2000. I'm a police officer in Indiana and I was his security at a little league world series my hometown hosted and Dave was one of several MLB retired ball players that were guest during the two week event. I had transported him from his home to the event and back. We had great conversations during the road trip and I confessed to him that I had always been a Pirate fan and he was my favorite player growing up as kid in the 70s and 80s. I told him that I learned how to bat left handed because he did and we talked about how professional athletes have a huge influence on young people. He also signed memorabilia that I had brought along with me and still proudly have hanging on my walls at home today. Thanks Dave for being such a cool dude and conversing with me that evening in August of 2000. This world is not a better place with you not in it.

Marc Koons

Thank You for the memories, I will miss you.
Bev R. (The Hyatt)

Thank you Dave for your wonderful baseball career.

they talk alot about his offensive. Defense is a big part of
the game..most baseball analyst agree , he is had the greatest
throwing arm of all time

In I think 1977 my wife and I and our 7 year old daughter took a winter vacation to Florida. We went to see the Pirates play a spring training game. Dave Parker came over to my daughter and talked and joked with her for a long time while he was sitting that game out. My daughter had a great time joking with Parker. He was such a gentleman and all around nice guy.

Larry Myers,
Medina, Ohio

My condolences.

So sorry for your loss. I graduated from Courter Tech with Dave and he was always a wonderful kind person to me. I use to see him at the Precinct and last time I saw him at one of his Popeyes with two of his kids were working. I am so happy he knew of his induction. Kellye I am praying for the whole family, God has this and you will see him again. Love to all of you

Pat Stevenson Jones

Rowena Channell Prophett 's & RESPECT YOU. Appreciated YOU coming My Cousin Funeral (Robert Anthony Sorrells...REST IN POWER

I used to work at the Hyatt Regency downtown Cincinnati Ohio , I had the opportunity to work in different areas of the hotel, when I started working in Champs Restaurant as the hostess ; that´s where I had the pleasure of meeting The Parker´s ; Dave and Kelly with friends and family would come dine at Champs often also when the Parker´s owned a Popeye´s Chicken on Reading Road, I went there several times and Dave and Kelly would be there. They were always pleasant towards me, Kelly I have sat where you sit. I loss my husband years ago, I said that to say this; Dave´s Not Gone ; You Know Where He Is!

To Family of Dave Parker,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Dave. Dave was one of the best athletes I have ever seen. Kelly, you did a great job with Dave´s care. I am glad that Dave was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
My best to all of you at this sad time.

In 1978 and 1979 in March of both years the Pittsburgh Pirates my native team, my dad worked at Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium as an usher and he passed on his love of baseball to me. Both of those years, age 15 and 16 I got to be a batboy for when the Pirates came to play the Baltimore Orioles in old Miami Bobby Maduro Stadium in spring training. I took pictures with Dave Parker. He was incredibly nice to me and a lot of fans. The Cobra was affectionally known was a Pioneer signing the richest contract at the time of 5 million for 5 years in 1978. He was 20 years ahead of his time. He was baseball's early version of Ali. He loved to take jabs at fellow teammates, fans, the media. Some saw him as brash others accepted his personality that could light up a clubhouse.
Guys like the late Rennie Stennett told me Parker really cared about helping the young players in the Pirates system understand the pressures and routine of big-league baseball. He often bought new rookies their first suit. Helped them with cash to bring their families to Pittsburgh. He treated me as a kid with such kindness and respect.

Nobody played harder than him. He also answered all the media's questions honestly. He often during spring training helped the Pirates young players and visited the Boys Club in Bradenton often to help prepare the next generation of players.

The Cobra top of the line talent with a super positive personality.

Pirate fan for five decades Ira M. Katz

Dave used to buy his groceries at the Safeway I worked at while he was with the A´s. We had a lot of players shop our store but he was by far the most genuinely nicest one. I´ll be toasting him with some Blue Sapphire Gin, it was his favorite. I´m so glad he knew he was going into the Hall before he passed. RIP Dave.

My deepest condolences to Kelly and Family.

Was a great hero of mine I followed him thru my life carry his number playing softball was the greatest

Dave, we had great times playing ball against each other in knothole baseball and playing together in high school. I´ve mentioned you to friends just recently telling them we played ball together. You will be missed.
Norm Knight