John C. Parker, 76, of Murphy, died Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, in a Clay County care center.
He was a native of Waycross, Ga., but had lived in Jacksonville, Florida and Atlanta, Ga., before moving to Murphy 18 years ago.
John graduated from Waycross High School in 1960 and Jacksonville University in 1964. John retired after working 30 years for Bell South. He was an avid HAM radio operator and loved building radios, and everything else, from scratch.
He was a member of Blairsville First Baptist Church. He loved his church and especially singing in the choir. His love for music was contagious and usually got everyone around him singing along.
He had a great sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. He was endeared as “Uncle John” and “Papaw.” He was a loving husband and wonderful father.
He was the son of the late J.C. and Lucy Morgan Parker.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Jean Mullen Parker; a daughter, Dawn Loftin and husband Stephen of Marietta, Ga.; a son, Joel Parker and wife Kathe of Jacksonville, Fla.; a sister, Kathy Higgs and husband Leo of Jacksonville, Fla.; six grandchildren, Lucy, Emma and Coleman Loftin, Kami, Jacob and Kahlan Parker.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Blairsville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred Lodge officiating. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be members of Blairsville First Baptist Church Cornerstone Sunday School class. The interment will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16, in Arlington Park Cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, where the body remained until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of John C. Parker to American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhomeinc.com.