Individual Details

Death

John Shelby Parker Jr., 70, a resident of Silver City, entered his eternal rest Saturday at Gila Regional Medical Center. He was born July 2, 1924 to John Shelby and Ethel Menola (Furr) Parker in Mesa, Ariz. He began working with Phelps Dodge Mining Co. in 1942 in Bisbee, Ariz. He served as a torpedo man in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Mr. Parker received the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with five stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal. In 1945 he returned to Arizona and his job with Phelps Dodge. He married Ola Dell Barnett on July 12, 1946 in Bisbee. In 1967 he transferred to Tyrone to help open the open-pit mine and became boiler shop foreman. He retired in 1989 after 47 years of service and received the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Award for working for 47 years without an accident. He was past master of Perfect Ashlar Masonic Lodge No. 12, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Bisbee, past master of Tyrone Masonic Lodge No. 52, AF & AM, an honorary member of Silver City Masonic Lodge No. 8, AF & AM, and a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory of Las Cruces. Mr. Parker was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Silver City and the American Legion. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ola Dell Parker of Silver City; two sons, John Parker and his wife, Nancy of Portland, Ore. and Dan Parker and his wife, Lynda of Houston; two daughters, Lynda Brady and her husband, Joseph of Tucson, Ariz. and Sarah Sexton and her husband, David of Playas; two sisters, Shirley Mason an her husband, Bob of North Hollywood, Calif. and Ann Parker of Las Cruces; two grandsons; four granddaughters; two nieces; and a nephew. Visitation will take place from 7-9 p.m. today in the Curtis-Bright Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. David Tritenbach officiating and Sarah Sexton assisting. Interment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with the Masonic cemetery committal by Jim Lane and members of the Tyrone Masonic Lodge and the Silver City Masonic Lodge. Military honors will be accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3347, Allingham-Golding Post No. 18 of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 1 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 358. Serving as pallbearers will be Ernie Leftault, Fritz Kuehnlenz, Jack Snodgrass, Everett Mortenson, Joe Brady, Matthew Brady, James Brady and Ray Stuckel. Honorary pallbearers are Mike De Wald, Owen Wagoner, Chester Williams, Bill Westwood, Stan Wallace, Wally Helm, Gary Stailery and Sam Reed. Contributions in his name may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation, 2819 Richmond NE No. 6, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Family members selected Curtis-Bright Funeral Home to serve them.