Lewis Avery Parker

Lewis Avery Parker

Lewis Avery Parker, age 90, passed away peacefully on Nov. 14, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on April 18, 1935, in Clio, South Carolina to the late Halford Avery Parker and Avis Stanton Parker, he grew up with the grit and determination that would shape the extraordinary life he lived. As a young boy, he worked long days in the tobacco fields, drove a school bus before he was old enough to vote, and occasionally found himself, along with his three sisters, in the kind of mischief that comes from a spirited sense of adventure.

He attended North Carolina State University, and soon after, he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. One fateful day while waterskiing, he clipped the ski line of a beautiful girl and coincidentally the love of his life, Freida. That moment sparked a beautiful romance and a 61-year marriage built on faith-filled devotion, partnership and endless love.

He went on to build a distinguished 38-year career with Pioneer Hybrid International, rising to director of sales through his leadership, integrity, and relentless work ethic. He traveled widely, forged lifelong friendships and left a lasting mark on an industry he cared deeply about.

An outdoorsman at heart, he found his greatest peace in nature — duck hunting, sailing Lake Michigan, riding horses or even later in life, simply watching his apple tree blossom. A proud Tar Heel, he maintained a friendly — but very serious — ACC vs. Big Ten rivalry bet, delighting in every win.

Above all accomplishments, titles and adventures, his greatest joy was family. He and Freida were blessed with two daughters, Kathryn Vorisek of Charleston, S.C. and Paige Miller (Thad) of Carmel, Ind. along with five grandchildren, Jack, Ben, Parker, Caroline and Charlie, each of whom adored their Papa. He cherished them fiercely, celebrating their triumphs, guiding them with wisdom and filling their lives with laughter, stories, legendary secret BBQ sauce and unconditional love.

In his later years, he returned to the place that had always held his heart — North Carolina. He and Freida split their time between Carmel and their beach home, Carolina Dreamin' in Ocean Isle Beach, where he spent his days surrounded by the ocean, Carolina blue skies, and friends he cherished.

He was many things — husband, father, veteran, outdoorsman, leader, storyteller — but being Papa was his proudest role of all. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the values he embodied and the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and remembered always, especially when a joke or story is well told, we have a "blam" at 5 o'clock or make a homemade milkshake.

Visitation will be held at Leppert Mortuary — Nora Chapel, located at 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, on Nov. 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The funeral service will follow at the same location, beginning at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Life's Journey Hospice, at https://lifesjourneyhospice.com/, with gratitude for their compassionate care. A special thank you to Susan Taylor and Andy Shumaker for their consistent care over the last two years and to Joanna Russell, his caregiver. You are all so very special. In addition to the service in Indianapolis on Tuesday, there will be a graveside memorial in Rowland in the spring.