Joe Reavis Parker, 91, of Huntsville, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Hospice Family Care facility on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
Joe was born August 15, 1931 in Tullahoma, TN to G.A. “Buster” and Irene Parker. He graduated high school in 1949 and attended Tennessee Polytechnical Institute for one year before joining the Navy. In 1951, he graduated boot camp and was assigned to the USS Mattabessett.
While on leave and bowling, he met Gladys Kennedy who he would marry in 1955. He went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee as an Electrical Engineer. He began his career with Sperry Farragut Company in Bristol, TN and then was hired by NASA which brought them to Huntsville. Joe retired from NASA and went back to work for USBI before his final retirement.
Joe and Gladys lived a great life. They loved to travel and share that love with their grandchildren. He was an active member of Memorial Parkway Church of Christ, now Chase Park Church of Christ, where he served as a Deacon for many years. In their retirement years, they were members of The Sojourners. They combined their love of traveling with the spreading the word of Christ and serving others all over the US.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Kristine Parker; daughter-in-law, Joan Parker; grandchildren: Richard and Brittany Oden, Kathleen Parker, Ashley Boyles, T.J. Parker, Katy Stecker, and Olivia Stecker; and great-grandchildren: Natalie Boyles, Parker Kruse, Elijah Oden, Kentrell Oden, Gabrielle Oden, Annabelle Oden, and EllaKate Oden.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Gladys K. Parker and son, Joseph Gregory Parker.
Special words of gratitude from the family…
We would like to thank his amazing caregivers at Redstone Village Assisted Living, Hospice Family Care and Edna Tate. We cannot thank you all enough for loving and caring for him.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 7th from 9:00 – 10:00 AM at Berryhill Funeral Home, followed by service at 10:00 with Rusty Hills and John Denney officiating. Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Agape of North Alabama or Chase Park Church of Christ Building Fund.
