John Parker

John Meeks Parker, 85 year old Vinita resident, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 13, 2011 at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Claremore. He was born on November 30, 1926 in Waurika, Oklahoma the third son of Columbus W. and Molly (Meeks) Parker. In 1944, at the age of 17 just a junior in high school, John joined the United States Navy and was assigned to unit 44-611. He served our country in the Pacific on the PA239 a member of the Amphibious Forces during World War II. After returning from the war he went on to complete high school and was a starter on the varsity basketball team. In 1947 he began college at Southeastern State University, in Durant where he earned his Bachelors of Science in Education while there he played guard for the University Basketball team. John state that his weakness in college was Algebra and his strength was in History in order to keep from taking Algebra he chose to take 20 hours of Latin which he later went on to teach. He continued his education at Oklahoma State University where he earned his Master's. John had a 36 year long career in education. In that span he was a coach, teacher and principal in the Vinita schools and at 25 years of age he was the superintendent at Mt. Home, Oklahoma. On August 24, 1947 John was united in marriage to Joyce Faye Prescott, together they had three children, Marcheta Carol in 1955, Carmaleta Jo in 1958 and John Meeks the II in 1962. They raised their family in Vinita, where he has resided since 1956. In addition to his career in education and raising his family, he also was a referee at local sports events, managed Vinita City Pool, along with a cattle ranch operation with his son John. On June 11, 1977, he married Lora Lee Davis; they enjoyed 34 years of marriage. Together they were active in the First Baptist Church in Vinita, where he served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and on many committees. They also had many friends and enjoyed entertaining and playing 42. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Clyde and Claude Parker. He is survived by his wife Lora Lee Parker of the home, a brother Stacey Parker and wife Marie of Wichita Falls, TX; a sister in-law Johnnie Parker of Lawton; his children, Marcheta Magnon and husband Pat of Vinita, Carmie Leake and husband David of Lubbock, TX, John Parker, II and wife Susan of Vinita; grandchildren include, Patrick Magnon and wife Debbie of Broken Arrow, Heath Magnon of Broken Arrow, Lacy Elliott and husband Cody of Midland, TX, Jacob, Andrea and Kyle Parker all of Vinita; great grandchildren, Cooper Magnon, Chloe Magnon, Parker and Thomas Elliott. There are also three step-sons, Randy Davis and wife Carla, Terry Davis, Brent Davis and one step-daughter Pam Wolfe and husband Richard; five step-grandchildren, Dr. Cole Davis and wife LoRae, Cody Wolfe, Casey Davis and wife Ashley, Samantha Davis and Kenny Davis; two step-great-grandchildren, Nash and Cade Davis. John's words of advice on how to live a successful life, "Praise God first and live for Him, take care of your fellow man, and take care of yourself last, do what's right, do the best you can, respect your parents, and when you go to work, give an honest day's work." July 23, 2011 John Meeks Parker The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening at the Luginbuel Chapel. The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Vinita, with Pastors Skip McClain and Henry Haynes officiating. Interment and military rites will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Vinita. Friends may give to the First Baptist Church in Vinita. Online Condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.

Visitation Details

Friday, December 16th, 2011 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita

Service Details

Saturday, December 17th, 2011 10:00am, First Baptist Church-Vinita

Interment Details

Fairview Cemetery - Vinita