Ross Blair Parker Jr

Ross Blair Parker, Jr., beloved husband and father took his final flight home on Parker Airlines Flight #1, Thursday, June 5, 2014. A native of Charleston, West Virginia, he was born August 26, 1928 to the late Ross Blair Parker, Sr. and the late Helen Tressel. Ross was an athlete in high school and showed an early interest in airplanes and automobiles, trading work at the local airport for flying lessons. Ross was granted his pilot’s license at 15 years of age.

Later, Ross attended Marshall University in Huntington, WV as a pre-med major, but followed his love for building things. He left Marshall to join the H.B. Agsten & Sons Construction Company in Charleston where he later became Vice President. In March of 1965, Ross founded Parker Construction Company in Columbus, GA where he was chosen as the primary contractor for new construction of Shoney’s Restaurants and Arby’s throughout the Southeast, and many commercial buildings and private homes. One of Ross’ proudest accomplishments was the construction of 126 Shoney’s Restaurants, including the one previously located on Lexington Road in Athens.

Throughout his life, Ross continued his passion for construction and a desire to make something from virtually nothing. In addition to the construction company, Ross dabbled in restoration of rental houses, making and selling his own ice cream, and even restoring antique Fords such as the 1931 Model A and the 1966 Mustang. Ross was also a Master Metal Smith, teaching himself to spin pewter on a lathe, and forming his own chucks and tools to work the metal. His work has been displayed in museums all over the Southeast, featured in the Georgia Governor’s Mansion and sold throughout the world. At the young age of 65 when the doctors told him to “retire” to a less stressful life, Ross started yet another career, becoming a realtor and broker. As a father, Ross is remembered as a quiet but loving father, one who was always ready for some type of spontaneous adventure, and grilling steaks and ribs that could be smelled for blocks.

Late in life, Ross suffered several strokes, and had spent the last seven years at PruittHealth at Grandview followed by a final stay with Gentiva Hospice, where he filed his final flight plan. The family would like to extend a sincere thanks to his caregivers at Grandview, the Palliative Care Team at ARMC, and the compassionate staff at Gentiva Hospice who helped to make his final transition peaceful.

Ross was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Helen Parker Walls (Mt. Palomar, CA), brother-in-law Earl (Tut) Walls (Mt. Palomar, CA), and a nephew, Richard Parker Walls (La Jolla, CA). Ross leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Judie (Athens, GA), his beloved children: Julie Parker Perry (Ed) of Memphis, TN; Ross Blair Parker, III (Mindy) of Memphis, TN; Holly Parker Abernathy (Pete) of Cincinnati, OH; Andrew Ray Parker of Columbus, GA; Robert Cary Parker, Athens, GA; Melissa (Missy) Parker, Jefferson, GA; ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family.