Melvin Chester Parker, age 82, of rural Golden City, passed away Wednesday evening, July 13, 2016, surrounded by his family at Good Shepherd Nursing Home.
Melvin was born March 22, 1934, in Barton County, to Earl and Ilah (John) Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Alden Parker and Rex Parker; and three sisters, Loretta Gardner, Reba Oberman, and Lynda Cearnal.
A natural athlete, Melvin excelled in sports in the Golden City and Lockwood school systems and he attended Pitt State on a basketball scholarship. Throughout his life, Melvin supported and encouraged many young athletes, especially enjoying the time spent cheering for his grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman who cut wood, fished and hunted turkey, quail, and deer. Always interested and involved in his community, Melvin was twice honored as “Citizen of the Year”. He was a Rotarian for many years and an active member of First Christian Church of Lamar.
On March 29, 1953, in Jasper, Missouri, Melvin married Bonnie Stevenson, and they made their home and raised their four children in Barton County. Melvin enjoyed a long career in the lumber business, working at various locations including Stocker Propane and Wolf Lumber Company in Golden City, Oneal Lumber in Republic, Kirk Lumber in Nevada and managing Community Lumber in Lamar before owning & operating Community Home Center for several years. He later worked for TapJac, Barton’s in Carthage, and Isenhower Lumber in Lamar before retiring in 2015 due to illness. Melvin’s vast knowledge of lumber and construction, genuine dedication to serving others, and his cheerful disposition created life-long friendships. In 1996, Melvin and Bonnie purchased a farm near Golden City where they enjoyed country living and operated a dog kennel, breeding labs and golden retrievers.
Survivors include Bonnie, his wife of 63 years, of the home; three sons, Doug (Sharon) Parker, Scott (Julie) Parker, and Brady Parker, all of Lamar; a daughter, Cheryl Parker-Reed, Lamar; five brothers, Norman (Marlene) Parker, Golden City, J.C. (Margie) Parker, Republic, Stanley (Henrietta) Parker, Golden City, Jim (Lois) Parker, Lockwood, and Jerre (Maureen) Parker, Houston, Texas; a step-brother, Bob (Anh) Bitney, Texas; a step-sister, Janis (Ralph) Kasper, Harrisonville, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Betty Parker, Golden City and Ann Parker, Lockwood; ten grandchildren, Nathan Parker, Brandon Parker, Darin Parker, Carrie Thieman, Chet Parker, Michael Parker, Garrett Parker, Gabe Reed, Ashley Parker, and Derek Parker; twelve great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.
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