James Leslie Parker, 84, of Independence, died Sunday, September 25, 2005, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City.
He was born March 10, 1921, in Sedalia, a son of Earl C. and Daisy V. Dillow Parker. On May 18, 1946, in Sedalia, he was married to Hazel Jean Maples, who died October 17, 1989.
Mr. Parker was raised and educated in Sedalia. He was a Smith-Cotton High School graduate. He was a proud Navy veteran of World War II. He served aboard the USS Aaron Ward and earned a purple heart. The book “Brave Ship, Brave Men” was written about the destroyer on which he served and was injured.
He was a machinist for Missouri Pacific Railroad before moving to Independence in the early 1950's, where he worked at the Lake City ammunitions plant. He retired from General Motors Leeds Plant in 1982, after 28 years of employment.
He enjoyed gardening and music. He was skillful at making things out of metal and could fix just about anything.
Surviving are two sons, James Eugene Parker, and his wife, Lynda, of Buckner, and Stephen Kent Parker, of Kansas City; a brother, Robert Parker, of Sedalia; three sisters, Mildred Paden, of Spring, Texas, Edith Knight, of Hughesville, and Viola Kramer, of Kansas City, Kan.; two grandsons, James M. Parker and Jeffrey D. Parker; and five great grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Parker, in infancy, and Mabel McNeal.
Graveside services and burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 28, 2005, at Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Debbie Grossardt officiating. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2591 will conduct military honors at the graveside. Pallbearers will be James Parker, Jeffrey Parker, Scott Butterfield, Lester Knight, Bret Knight and Jeremy Franklin.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at Heckart/Gillespie Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Salvation Army Hurricane
Fund.
