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John Granville Parker

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John Granville Parker

Wed, 12/07/2016 - 8:30 am
John Granville Parker passed away Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Wichita Falls. John was born in Jack County on May 27, 1938, to Sam and Olive Hardesty Parker. He was the youngest of eight children and the only boy. He had always intended to go to college, major in music and become a high school band director, but was convinced by friends who wanted to travel to join the Navy. John had always loved traveling. He always said he did not think there was a country he had not visited although he admitted Vietnam was not very enjoyable. After 18 years in the Navy, he went back to Graham and convinced an old friend, Mary Ann Beck Odom, to marry him. He became the father of the Mary Ann’s four children and two nephews, all teenagers, who lived in the house. He was a very brave man to take on such a job. He spent the last two years of his career in the Navy getting used to that many children when he could see his new family about every third week. John and Mary Ann later welcomed Terry and Mariko into the family. SCPO Parker retired after 20 years in the Navy and came back to Graham where he joined his wife in her vending and catering business. He also worked for the Graham Country Club and Whataburger before retiring to his workshop to build playhouses, cedar chests and other wood projects for all his granddaughters. John was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Circuit Riders Sunday school class, where he occasionally taught the lesson, which he enjoyed very much. John was an avid reader and enjoyed concerts and shows in which his children and grandchildren participated. He was preceded in death by his parents; seven sisters, Berdene Green, Cleo Stonecipher, Viannna Reichert, Rena Isham, Florence Van Hoose, Ila May Parker and Alice Green; son-in-law, Bob Berru; grandson, Joe Brannon; and Terry Wenninger. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary Ann Parker; daughters, Kay Berru, and Mariko Clark and Joe of Graham; sons, James Odom of New York City and Chicago, David Odom and Denise of Bonham, and Mike Odom of Dallas; nephew, Shawn Escue of Graham; 10 granddaughters; three grandsons; 11 and 2/3 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Rev. Albert Van Hoose of Lubbock; and numerous nieces and nephews. John chose to donate his body to the willed body program at UT Southwestern Medical Center. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 700 3rd Street, Graham, TX 76450; American Guild of Musical Artists Relief Fund, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018; Graham Regional Theatre, PO Box 431, Graham, TX 76450; or the charity of your choice.