Homer R. Parker

Homer R. Parker, 94, formerly of Sanford, FL and Lynchburg, VA passed away on Friday, June 2, 2017, at his home in Maryville, TN, where he had resided the past 12 years. Homer was born in Lynchburg, VA, the eldest son of the late Emmitt and Lillian Parker and spent most of his childhood in Lynchburg. He was a longtime member of Fairview Christian Church in Lynchburg, VA and a member of the Order of Free Mason Masonic Lodge, Sanford, FL. Like so many young men of his generation, out of high school Homer volunteered for service at the beginning of World War II, and enlisted in the Navy. He went to parachute rigger school in Corpus Christie, TX and later rose in rank to Chief Petty Officer. He shipped out later in the war on the USS Steamer Bay, an escort class carrier, and saw action in the South Pacific. He later served in the Mediterranean sea and through out Europe in the 1950's. He retired from the Navy in 1960 and worked for the Florida Public Service Commission as an Investigator. After which, he began a new career at the Naval Training Center in Orlando with Special Services as the Recreation Director until he retired in 1985. He enjoyed his retirement years fishing the St. Johns River in FL, and his summer home in Waynesville, NC. Homer said little of his service in the war until 2009 when he flew to Washington DC on an Honor "Flight with about 100 other WWII vets. The group visited the WWII memorial and other sights and were treated as the heroes they were. He said that his best memory of the trip was the crowd of people waiting for them at the airport, and the military honor guard. He said he had never shaken so many hands in his life. After that he always wore his WWII veteran hat and received many thank yous when out in public, and told a few war stories. At the end of the war he was stationed in Jacksonville, FL and later Sanford where he met Jane Benson at a USO dance. They were married 67 years until her death in 2012. In addition to his parents, Homer was preceded in death by an older sister, Edith, and younger brothers, Ernest and Herman, and a son, Dayle. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Robert Weringo of Lynchburg; son and daughter-in-law, John and Dr. Janet Parker of Maryville; grandson, Avram Cheaney of San Francisco and daughter, Dr. Sylvia Isherwood of Lewisburg, WV. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and an exceptional and kind group of ladies who were his caregivers in his final years. Family and friends will meet at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at East Maryville Baptist Church Cemetery for a graveside service, with Military Honors, with Rev. Keith Johnson officiating. Friends may call at their convenience at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home. Instead of flowers, the family would like donations made in memory of Homer and Dayle Parker to the ARC of Haywood County, 407 Welch Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.