Arthur C Parker, Jr.

Arthur Crawford Parker, Jr., a longtime resident of Cartersville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 28, 2023, surrounded by his wife of 61 years and their four children. Born June 10, 1938, in Cartersville, Arthur graduated from Cartersville High School in 1956, where he played on the football and baseball teams and ran track. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1960, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. While attending Georgia Tech, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, where he developed many lifelong friendships. After graduating from Georgia Tech, Arthur worked for Dupont in Kinston, North Carolina. In 1962, he began working for family-owned RCA Truck Lines, Inc., which later became Georgia Southern Transportation, Inc., headquartered in Cartersville. He would work at Georgia Southern Transportation until December 2022, where he managed the trucking company’s operations with his brother-in-law, Jim Smith. Respected in the trucking industry, Arthur served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Motor Trucking Association and as the association’s President from 1985 to 1986. He also served on Board of Directors of Citizens and Southern Bank of Cartersville for many years. He was a proud member of the United States Army Reserves.

Arthur was a lifelong member of Sam Jones Methodist Church, where he was baptized and confirmed as a child. He taught the Disciple Bible Study at Sam Jones Methodist Church for many years, and served on various church committees.

Arthur is preceded in death by his father Arthur Crawford Parker and mother Alice Barron Parker. He is survived by his wife Glenda Smith Parker and their four children: Suzie Parker Devoe (Joe) of Beaufort, South Carolina; Art Parker (Nell) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Barry Parker of Cartersville; and Kevin Parker (Mary) of Cartersville; and six grandchildren: Parker Devoe of Boynton Beach, Florida; Barron Devoe of Portland, Oregon; Mary Grace Parker of San Francisco, California; Margaret Parker of Charlotte, North Carolina; Suzie Parker of Cartersville; and Collier Parker of Cartersville; and his sister, Mary Ellen Murray of Gainesville, Georgia.

Arthur was a much-loved and respected husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend who will be deeply missed. He was a devoted grandfather and mentor to his six grandchildren. Throughout his life, he was surrounded by dear friends who admired his quick wit, dry sense of humor and generous, kind spirit. He was an avid reader and enjoyed learning about United States’ history, especially about World War I and II. He enjoyed the South Carolina Lowcountry, where he would spend his time with family, fishing, combing the beach for sea shells, crabbing and reading.

The family would like to thank his personal caregivers, and the nurses and caregivers with Amedisys, Inc.’s hospice care team. The family is deeply grateful for the care they provided to Arthur during the past several months.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, the 4th of May, at Sam Jones Methodist Church with Rev. Lathem Postell officiating. A private family graveside service will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM on Thursday the 4th of May, 2023 in the Family Life Center at Sam Jones Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Arthur's memory to Sam Jones Methodist Church or The American Cancer Society at www.donate.cancer.org.

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to leave online condolences for the family. Owen Funeral Home 12 Collins Dr Cartersville, GA is honored to serve the Parker family.