Horace Herbert Parker

Horace Herbert Parker was born Oct 16, 1916, in the East Texas County of San Augustine near the Norwood Community where much of his extended family remains. The second born of a large family he leaves behind three siblings: Gladys Henley of San Augustine, Ann Johnston of New Jersey, and Faye Forster of Louisiana. Parker remained attached to his East Texas home all of his life and, in particular , after retiring from Texas Marine, Inc. in 1981, enjoyed annual stays with his Uncle R.V. Steptoe and Aunt Annie in Broaddus.

As a young man in the 1930's Parker joined the CCC and worked on projects in Angelina County where he met and married Jimmie Mae Allen, his wife of more than 40 years, she having passed away in 1979. Parker and Jimmie had three children, Herbert Wayne, JoAnn, and Tommy Andrew. The first two were born in East Texas and the last in Houston where Parker had come to work in the shipyards just prior to WWII. During the war he served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific.

After the war Parker returned to Houston where he remained for the rest of his life working in the ship supply business, first with Gordon Sewell & Company and later with Texas Marine. He raised his family in and remained a life-long resident of that neighborhood now referred to as the Near- North Side. Over the years he volunteered to serve in many community organizations: Boy Scout leader for Holy Name Catholic Church Troop 41, deacon for Trinity Baptist Church, member of Civil Defense and, his favorite, full-time volunteer for the Houston Police Department, from which he received in 1999 The Houston Police Departments Public Service Award recognizing 12 years of volunteered 40-hour weeks.

For many years now he has been a faithful member of South Main Baptist Church and one of the church's MainSteamers most successful and aggressive domino players. Mary Ramos accompanied him to church for many years, but as his health declined his loyal care-giver Cleo Muradzikwa has been at his side.

Parker was a people-person with a booming voice and boundless energy always directed toward improving the community.

He died Thursday June 12, 2014 at the age of 97. Much beloved and long to be remembered he will be laid to rest on Tuesday June 17, 2014 at 10:00am beside his loving wife and first born son at Forest Park Lawndale. Following a brief graveside ceremony guests are invited to attend a memorial service at 12:00 noon at The Westmoreland Chapel of South Main Baptist Church , 4100 Main Street. Reception to follow in the Church's Welcome Center. Viewing at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale is scheduled for Monday June 16 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.