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Harris Parker Obituary
Dr. Parker died January 27, 2010, in Richland Heart Hospital with family and friends at his side. Born October 12, 1925, in Florence, he was a son of the late Harris H. and Martha Elizabeth Thomas Parker. For half a century, Dr. Parker taught in the religion department at Columbia College, where he was greatly admired by faculty and students and twice named “Outstanding Teacher of the Year.”
Surviving are his wife, Susan Culclasure Parker; son, Dr. Harris Hartwell “Hart” Parker III and his wife, Shelly; granddaughter, Madison Susanne Parker; grandson, Harris Hartwell “Wells” Parker IV; nieces, Anne Berte, Harriett Johnson and Bette Stith. He was predeceased by his sister, Carolyn Liles Lang, and beloved daughter, Martha Susanne Parker.
Memorials may be made to the Martha Susanne Parker or Dr. Harris Hartwell Parker Jr. Scholarship Funds at Columbia College, 1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia, SC 29203 or the charity of one’s choice.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harris Parker
Crystal Quetel
February 6, 2010
I was honored to sit in Dr. Parker's Death and Dying Class at Columbia College. His wisdom and insight challenged me to live life to its fullest and appreciate everything the Lord allows to come my way! I will always remember his spirit, stories, and wonderful smile! I will continue to be praying for the family as you celebrate his life! With the Comfort of Jesus,
Crystal Hicks Quetel
Class of 2003
Roni Fulwood Stearns
February 5, 2010
Dr. Parker was a very witty and dedicated professor! He truly touched my life and I will forever have fond memories of him!
Jennifer Huesman Loftis
February 3, 2010
Dr. Parker made religion class enjoyable and somehow een had a way with making the topics of death and dying insightful and not so morbid. I enjoyed his presence and wish his family many happy memories of him and a thank you for sharing him with CC for so many wonderful years. My prayers are with you all.
Lori Blalock
February 2, 2010
This was one of my favorite teachers from Columbia College. He married my husband and I Dec. 31, 1994. We are happily married with 2 children. I am glad I got to see him again and hear his voice! He will be missed.
January 31, 2010
Mrs. Parker, Hart & Shelly,
Mac and I are thinking of you at this time. Hart, I have so enjoyed the book your dad published on Life, Death, and Destiny. Chris gave us a copy in 2006 for our 42nd anniversary. I feel honored to have met him.
Our best to you all,
Mary Johnson
Alabama
Annie Lee Mobley Redd
January 31, 2010
Dr. Parker touched so many lives and will always live on in our hearts. Annie Lee Mobley Redd, CC '68
Kim Wallace
January 31, 2010
The staff on the Marion Suite at Palmetto Health Heart Hospital extend our deepest sympathy to your family. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless and comfort you!
January 31, 2010
Susan, I wanted to express my sympathy to you and your family in the loss of Dr. Parker. We are all grateful for the contributions he made to many CC students. Sylvia Felder Smith
Charleston
Anne Walker
January 31, 2010
Susan: Harris was a kind and generous man and we will miss him. He always meant so much to us at The Alston Wilkes Society. I fondly remember the stories he shared with us every year when he attended our annual luncheon for our Past Presidents. Please know that we will keep you and your family in our prayers. With love--Anne Walker
Angie Bodiford Darnell '91
January 31, 2010
I so enjoyed the Religion classes (and the ensuing discussions) that Dr. Parker taught during my freshman year, 1987. He touched so many lives, and we were thrilled to have him as our Senior faculty adviser in 1991. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
January 30, 2010
Susan, was so sad to read of Dr. Parker's death. Will have you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Mary Ida Chapllin Hall
Judy Davis
January 30, 2010
I was a student of Dr. Harris in 1957. His life lessons and in depth knowledge of the scriptures have remained with me until this day. He will certainly live on in the hearts and minds of many whom he influenced.
The Peace of Christ be with you
Judy Watkins Davis
Chris Johnson
January 30, 2010
Mrs. Parker, Hart & family,
Rhiannon and I send our deepest condolences to you, your family and to everyone who's life was ever touched by your father and husband. Dr. Parker, Jr. was a gentleman and scholar in the truest sense. He and Mrs. Parker were a second family to me when Hart and I were in school. I will always cherish the memories of Dr. Parker, his home, and the warm hospitality that he and Mrs. Parker always shared with me.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sadness and loss.
Chris and Rhiannon Johnson
Gale Rigby Kennedy
January 30, 2010
I had Dr. Parker for religion at Columbia College in 1965-66. What a great teacher! I remember how he'd dress up to get a point across so we'd remember the lessons better! ALL of us girls adored him! I send you my love, thoughts, prayers and sympathy at this time of loss. I pray that God will wrap His strong and loving Arms around you and give you the peace and courage you will need in the days and weeks ahead. Do not worry about tomorrow, for God is already there! Devotedly! Gale Rigby Kennedy, CC-1969
Sam Turner
January 30, 2010
Susan,This makes such fond memories of our times at sunday school back when you and Harris were dating and later married.
He was such a great student of the Bible and made our lessons so interesting. I do think of those days from time to time with such happy thoughts.
Farewell to a great man.
Sincerely, Sam Turner
Katherine McClam
January 29, 2010
Dear Susan and family,
I am so sorry about Harris' death. He was truly a wonderful man. I am glad I had the opportunity to know him. I have many fond memories of my days in his class at Columbia College and how my faith grew. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Katherine Hicklin McClam
Sally Wallace
January 29, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Parker was my teacher at Columbia College in the late 70s. I ran into him at the mall on Halloween in 2002. My mother was very ill, we talked and reminisced. He came to her funeral a few days later. I was very touched to see him there. He was a wonderful teacher and such a superior human being. He will be greatly missed. I live too far away to come to the memorial, but will keep you in my prayers.
Don Kenney
January 29, 2010
Hart and the entire Parker family, my condolences to all of you on the death of the family patriarch. Know that y'all are in my thoughts and prayers. Godspeed! - Don Kenney
January 29, 2010
Dear Hart and Mrs. Parker, We send our condolences and prayers for you and your family at this time. Martin Mirra, Stephen Metropol, Mohammed Yousufuddin and the staff of Palmetto Surgical Associates.
-Martin Mirra
Mary Ann and Thelma Student Health Service
January 29, 2010
We looked forward to Dr. Parker's yearly visits for his flu shot. We enjoyed spending time with him as he shared his life experiences with us. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
We liked to watch Harris and Susan together with him holding her by the arm. He always acted as if they were still "courting." We missed him this fall and were worried that he could be ill.
Mary Ann Young & Thelma Graham
Columbia College, Student Health Service
Mary Hardison
January 29, 2010
Dr. Parker was so soft-spoken, but when he spoke, the words were bold and full of wisdom and hope. Words were important to Harris and I will remember many of his to me. He was one of those people that makes an amazing mark on this world. With a full heart, he quietly helped so many people. He will be missed, but I can imagine his joy as he finally rests with God.
Ashlee Putnam
January 29, 2010
Susan, I heard last night. I am so very sorry for your loss!! You know that Dr. Parker was an inspiration to everyone he met. I loved him very much and I hope he knew it! If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call. I love you very much, too! There is another angel in heaven watching over us. He will be missed down here!!
Jan Hadwin
January 29, 2010
Susan and family
My sincere condolence on the loss of Harris. He was very special and will be missed by many.
Jan (Hadwin)
Jean Margaret Card
January 29, 2010
All my life, Harris has supported me with his words, family, smiles and love. No doubt his spirit lives on and shapes how I live in the world and how I feel about the spirit beyond. Kindness, stories, friendship, laughter and an overall delightful light has touched me, Skip and Julia in ways we'll never be able to describe. My heart goes out to Susan, Hart and her beautiful family. Harris' prayer for today in his Daily Reflections book is of comfort and hope -- "Meet us in quiet places, O God. Restore our broken spirits and heal us with your grace. Amen"
-- Jean Margaret Smith Card
January 29, 2010
Dear Susan & Family, Please know that heart-felt sympathy is extended from Dorcas & me. It was certainly a surprise to find my friend's name in today's obituary listings. We were neighbors on Harrell St. in Florence. It is a prililege to have known Harris, his parents and his sister, Carolyn. His mother & mine were close friends.
With love, Charlie & Dorcas Howle
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