Jim Parker

WEST ASHEVILLE Jimmy Edmond Jim Parker, 66, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2010, at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals. A native of Dalton, GA and Cleveland, TN. Mr. Parker had resided in Buncombe County since 1969. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad as an Engineer following 32 years of service. He was a member of Sunrise Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and sang in the church choir. He was a veteran of the US Navy, serving on the USS Woodpecker during the Vietnam War. Mr. Parker was the son of the late Arty Earl Parker and Verna Geneva Brackett Crum. He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Hope Elaine Parker; brother, Kenneth Parker; and sisters, Jane McIlwain and Carol Minge. Surviving are his wife, Janet Louise Pipes Parker, whom he married June 17, 1967; son, Sean Edmond Parker and wife Robin, and their children, Collin and Ryan of Hingham, MA; daughter, Heather Jane Pound and husband Teddy, and their children, Parker Caroline and Cooper of Charleston, SC; sisters, Judy Garcia and Verna Crum, both of Cleveland, TN; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday at Sunrise Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Higgins officiating. Burial will follow in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with military graveside rites provided by the Buncombe County Veterans Memorial Team. The family will receive friends from 5:30-8 PM Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Sunrise Baptist Church, Attn: The Children & Youth Fund, 419 Deaverview Road, Asheville, NC 28806.