Herbert G. Parker

Colonel (Retired) Herbert Gerald Parker

TALLAHASSEE - Funeral services for Colonel (Retired) Herbert Gerald Parker, PhD, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethel AME Church, 501 W. Orange Avenue. Family visitation, 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be at 1 P.M. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Arlington (VA) National Cemetery.

Colonel Parker was a career Army veteran having served in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was an Officers' Candidate School graduate, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry. A highly decorated veteran, he held numerous leadership positions to include commanding all U.S. Special Forces in the Mekong Delta, Republic of Vietnam. His last assignment was as Professor of Military Science at Florida A&M University. Colonel Parker was a Regular Army Officer, a Master Parachutist, Ranger and Special Forces qualified. He was the recipient of the Silver Star Medal for gallantry, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal for valor with oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, twice awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Commendation Ribbon with cluster, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm and numerous other service awards and medals. Upon his military retirement, Colonel Parker was presented again the Legion of Merit for his outstanding professionalism and significant contributions to the United States Army.

He was Florida's first Executive Director of its Crimes Compensation program, subsequently, becoming Chief of the Bureau of Crimes Compensation and Victim/Witness Services for the State of Florida. During his tenure, he testified before the United States House Judiciary Committee on the Crimes Victim Bill of 1984. The passage of this bill resulted in the State of Florida receiving more than $1.8 million for crime victims. He also testified before several state legislatures to establish crime victim programs in those states.

In the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, he served as national Treasurer, then President in 1984-86. He received the Association's highest award for distinguished service to his State and the Nation in 1988. Additionally, in 1988 he received the Florida Network of Victim Witness Services' James Fogarty annual award in recognition of his dedicated and continuous leadership and outstanding achievements in the pursuit of victim rights. Other related affiliations are the International Association for Crime Victim Compensation Boards and the National Organization for Victim Witness Services.

In 1991 he became the Director of the Division of Administration for the Florida State Department of Education, where he was responsible for the coordination, supervision, and control of administrative services for the agency until his retirement in 1994.

Parker also is the recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Service Award; the United States Army Distinguished Service Citation; the Tallahassee NAACP's Black Achiever and James Hudson Citizenship awards; Sunrise Prayer Breakfast Group, Inc., annual award for Christian service; Rotary International's Paul Harris Fellow - Level 2 and Four Avenues of Service Citation, its highest honor; membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi; and the 1996 Capital Chordsmen Barbershopper of the Year. In 1999, he was a finalist for the Tallahassee Democrat sponsored Volunteer of the Year honors in the Civic Services category. The congratulatory letter for this honor noted "Your nomination and selection represent exceptional volunteer work." In recognition of his positive aging, he was a recipient of the first ever Tallahassee Senior Center Silver Star award in 2001.

He has served on the Board of Directors of Tallahassee Urban League (twice Chairman); Florida Baptist Children's Homes; Florida State University Center for Professional Development; FAMU Booster Board (President); The Capital Rotary Club of Tallahassee (Sergeant at Arms, President, the first black President of any of the then four Tallahassee Rotary Clubs); Capital Chordsman (Treasurer) whose 2007 concert was dedicated to him; Opportunity Industrial Centers of America, Inc.; United Way of Leon County; and Hilaman Park Men's Golf Association. Memberships in other organizations include the Society for the Preservation and Enhancement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA); 21st Century Council; Strickland Electric Bowling League; General Greene Council Boy Scouts of America; United States Army Civil Affairs Association; American Bowling Congress; University Men's Bowling League (President 1976-1978); and FAMU Credit Union League (President 1974-76, 1982-84).

Additional recognition: Mayor's Meritorious Achievement Award, Tallahassee; FAMU (now Meeks-Eaton South Eastern Region) Black Archives Wall of Distinction; 2011 Tallahassee Urban League "We are Making a Difference" Legend; and 2012 King, Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescent Center Awardee.

As a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, he also served as a Steward Emeritus and Music Committee chairman. In January 1985, he founded the Bethel A.M.E. Male Chorus and served as its coordinator until the mid 2000's. In recent years he was the recipient of the Church's Richard Allen Community Development Award as well as enshrinement in the church's Wall of Faith and Wall of Courage and Faith. He and wife Florida were co-care leaders of what is now Class 81. Both were recognized as Bethel's Most Supportive Couple at the December 9, 2007 church anniversary.

He chaired the Tallahassee Senior Center's Advisory Council and had been a member of the Neighborhood Justice Center Advisory Board from its inception. He served on the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Community Relations Board. He also mentored young males, especially the Kappa League and has been Capital Chordsmen and Capital Rotary Scholarship chairman.

His other affiliations include Alpha Zeta Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, where he served as Sire Archon (President) from 1992-94, Agogos and Rhetoricus and ROCKS, Inc., in addition to the Retired Officers Association, Military Order of the World Wars, and the National FAMU ROTC Alumni Association of which he was a founding member and past Vice President. He held life membership in the 555th Parachute Infantry Association, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, initiated April 18, 1992 in Tallahassee Alumni Chapter, and the NAACP. The Special Forces Association was another of his interests.

Being an avid golfer was one of his passions. He was feted when the Guide Right Foundation of Tallahassee, Inc. presented the Inaugural Herbert G. Parker Kappa Klassic Golf Tournament - November 7, 2009. With his storehouse of stories and ability to liven up the setting, he was sought as master of ceremonies for local and regional affairs. "SUPER," for which he is best known, epitomized his positive outlook on life.

Parker is listed in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Personalities of the South, Who's Who in Black America, and the Directory of Distinguished Americans for Service to State and Nation. He has written significant articles, including "The Military Mind and the Organization Man," "A Think Piece for Citizenship," and "The United States Constitution/One Black Man's Perspective.

He was the ninth of twelve children born to Otis James and Anna Berthina Fisher Parker in Fayetteville, Arkansas on May 13, 1929. He died Friday, January 8, 2016.

His survivors include wife Florida Fisher Parker, daughter Christie Parker Smith (Gerald), Olney, MD, and grandson Matthew Warren Smith; sisters Virginia P. Dandridge, Kansas City, KS, and Peggy A. Davis (Hosea), Wichita, KS; in-law siblings: Dr. Miles M. Fisher, IV, Washington, DC, Elijah J. Fisher, III, Durham, NC, Christopher Fisher (Yvonne), Durham, NC, Dr. Ada M. Fisher of, Salisbury, NC, Janice J. Fisher of Silver Spring, MD; many nieces and nephews including Anita Coleman (Cecil) of Alexandria, VA, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Meeks-Eaton Southeastern Black Archives c/o FAMU Foundation, Tallahassee Urban League or Tallahassee Senior Center Foundation.

Arrangements by Strong and Jones Funeral Home, 551 W. Carolina Street, Tallahassee, FL (850) 224-2139.