Leon Parker, Sr.

On May 27, Leon Carroll Parker, Sr. unexpectedly moved on to meet his God at Parkwest Medical Center. Leon ("L. C.", "Dickie") was born on July 18, 1937. He was a 1955 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, who lettered in baseball. In 1956, he married his wife of 46 years, Charlotte Lane Parker, deceased, (daughter of Thomas E. and Jean Lane) of Oak Ridge. L. C. served 4 years in the Air Force at Fort Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina as an Air Traffic Controller. After his service, they returned to Oak Ridge and he joined the United States Post Office; he was continuously promoted, and retired as Clinton Postmaster in 1992 after supervising the construction of the new Clinton Post Office. Following retirement from the post office, he became the Clubhouse Manager at South Hills Golf Club, where he served in a position that he loved; many will remember him from South Hills.
L. C. was an avid golfer and bowler in Oak Ridge, and was very active in the Oak Ridge Jaycees. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, was well known in the Oak Ridge area, and had many, many friends who will miss him dearly. He was also a loyal supporter of the Oak Ridge Boys' Club, Boy Scouts of America, and St. Jude Memorial Hospital. L. C. will always be remembered as the kind, generous, and all-around "good man" that he was. He was the rock for his 6 children, his grandchildren, and many other friends and relatives.
L. C. was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Leroy Parker and Ella Guttery, and his wife Charlotte. He is survived by his wife of 8 1/2 years, Catherine Parker, sisters Barbara Crowder (Ed), Patti Guttery Atkinson, and brother John B. Guttery (Gale); and his six children, Jeannie Parker of Clinton, Don Parker (Heide) of Front Royal, VA, Leon Parker (Pat) of Woodstock, GA, Larry Parker of Norfolk, VA, Roger Parker (Sonya) of Oak Ridge, Keith Parker of Clinton, and two step children, Sarah Curry of Oak Ridge and Alex Curry of St. Louis, MO. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all who will miss him dearly.
Receiving of Friends will be held on Thursday, June 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M at Martin Funeral Home, immediately followed by a funeral service officiated by Father Michael Woods. A private family burial service will be held at Oak Ridge Memorial Park, on Friday, June 3 at 2:00 P.M., officiated by Pastor Jason Bowen, L.C.'s grandson in-law. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital in his honor.