Eugene "Gene" Parker

Eugene " Gene" Parker

Winnsboro - Funeral services for retired Franklin Parish Sheriff Eugene "Gene" Parker, 79, of Winnsboro, will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at Temple Baptist Church in Winnsboro. Visitation will be held Monday, November 5, 2018, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Tuesday, November 6, 2018, from 1:00 PM until time of service at Temple Baptist Church under the direction of Gill First National Funeral Home of Winnsboro. The Reverends Larry Eubanks, Marion Collier, and Paul Perry will be officiating.

Gene was born October 17, 1939, to the union of George O. Parker, Sr., and Katie Mae Lupo Parker and passed away November 2, 2018, in Monroe at St. Francis Hospital surrounded by his family. He was a 1957 graduate of Winnsboro High School and served in the United States Army from 1959-1962. After returning to Winnsboro, Gene married the love of his life, Marilyn Hester of Columbia. Shortly after, he began work at Martin Brothers Ice Cream and later for his uncle, Alvin "Pete" Lupo.

In 1966, Gene began his law enforcement career when he joined the Monroe Police Department, eventually working his way up to detective. He continued his law enforcement career in 1969 with the Louisiana State Police, where he became one of the original narcotics agents known as "The Dirty Dozen." He was named Sergeant of that unit. Gene resigned his LSP commission in 1971 to run for Sheriff of Franklin Parish, a race he won. He steadfastly served the people of Franklin Parish for twenty-four consecutive years. Gene was the first Sheriff in Franklin Parish history to be elected to a fourth term, and then the only Franklin Parish Sheriff to serve a fifth and sixth term. Gene could not have served the people of Franklin Parish without the dedication of the men and women of the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office. After retiring, Gene served as warden at the Tensas Detention Center for several years. He then stayed busy with his business, Providence Memorial Cemetery.

During his tenure as Sheriff, Gene saw the need for improvement in the ability to enhance the survival rates in auto and farming accidents. As a result, he worked diligently to raise funds to purchase the "Jaws of Life" and a vehicle that would become the Franklin Parish Rescue Unit. He also saw a need for a substance abuse program in Franklin Parish. With the help of the late Jack Bowden, he started the Northeast Louisiana Substance Abuse Clinic. Gene was instrumental in the development of the Franklin Parish 911 program and still served as Chairman of the Board at the time of his death. With the help of the voters of Franklin Parish, Gene passed a 1 cent sales tax to fund the construction of the Franklin Parish Detention Center, which opened in 1992.

Gene loved his family and the people of Franklin Parish. He dedicated his life to public service and never met a stranger. People always knew that he would take the time to listen to them and offer any help that he could.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clark and Martha Hester; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Parker and Muriel Parker; and niece, Kristi Parker Beach.

Survivors include his wife of almost 56 years, Marilyn Hester Parker; children - Mike and Kim Parker of Gilbert, Jane and Billy Biggs of Columbia, and Scott and Becky Parker of Crowville; grandchildren - Mary-Kate Parker, Melanie and Blake Bice, Cpl. Michael Parker, Jr., USMC, Sam Parker, Katie Biggs, Tom Biggs, Meredith Parker, and Maggie Parker; great-grandson, Hudson Bice. Brothers - John and Edna Parker, George O Parker, Jr., and Alvin "Hambone" Parker, all of Winnsboro; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Pallbearers will be Cpl. Michael Parker, Jr., USMC, Tom Biggs, Sam Parker, Blake Bice, Jerryd Roberts, and Todd Parker.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bobby Robertson, Bill Chesser, Justice Chet Traylor, J.W. Dean, Jeff Britt, Sheriff Kevin Cobb, Daniel "Cowboy" Stavinoha, Nathan Oliver, Billy Cureington, Charles Thompson, current and former FPSO employees, and current and former Winnsboro Fire Department employees.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office, NELA Ambulance Service, and Franklin Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's name to the American Cancer Society or the charity or church of your choice.

On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.gillfirstnational.com