Judge John V. Parker

John Parker, who passed on July 14, 2014, was born in Baton Rouge on October 14, 1928.  He was one of five sons of former Baton Rouge Police Chief, Fred C. Parker, Jr. and Laverne Sessions Parker.  He was appointed as Judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana in September, 1979 by President Jimmy Carter and served as Chief Judge until 1998, assuming Senior Status on October 31, 1998.  He was instrumental in obtaining legislation appropriating funds for the construction of a new federal courthouse in Baton Rouge and actively oversaw the planning and construction of the Russell B. Long Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse which opened in 1994.  He was a charter member of the Judicial Conference of the United States and served on the committee on Security, Space and Facilities from 1987-1994 as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Long Range Planning.  Judge Parker was a founding member of the Henry George McMahon American Inn of Court and served as its first President.  He was a 1945 graduate of Baton Rouge High School.  He received a BA from LSU in 1949 and was commissioned into the USAR Field Artillery as 1st Lt. upon graduation.  He obtained his law degree from LSU in 1952 and was a member of the LSU Law Review and Order of the Coif.  He completed US Army Judge Advocate General school in 1952, served on active duty as a JAG officer until 1954, and remained a reserve officer until discharged in 1964 with rank of Captain.  Before being appointed to the Bench, he was in private practice with his brother Donovan W. "Mickey" Parker until Mickey was elected Judge for the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish following which he joined the law firm of Sanders, Downing, Rubin&Kean in 1966.  He also served as a part-time Assistant Parish Attorney for East Baton Rouge Parish from 1956-1966.  As a practicing attorney, he participated in many complex cases as lead trial counsel involving property and mineral rights.  He was a member of the LSU Law Center Adjunct Faculty where he taught a course on Local Government Law.  He was a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge and President of Kiwanis International 1976-1977.  He was a member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association, serving as President in 1968.  He was a long time and active member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and served as a member of the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association 1960-1964, Board of Governors 1969-1971 and a member of the Nominating Committee 1973.  He was a member of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, a charter member of East Gate Lodge #452. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Fridge Parker, his parents, his brothers, Col. Fred C. Parker, III, USA (Ret.), a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, Judge (Ret.) Donovan W. "Mickey" Parker, a World War II combat veteran, and Robert R. "Bobby" Parker.  He is survived by brother, Whilden S. Parker, sons, John Michael Parker and wife Sonja Caldwell Parker, Robert F. "Bob" Parker, daughter, Linda P. Thompson and husband Dr. Christopher S. Thompson, grandchildren, Rachael E. Parker, Catherine C. Parker, M.D., John Michael Parker, Jr., Grace Thompson and Grant Thompson.  Honorary pallbearers are Whilden Parker, Mike Parker, Bob Parker, John Parker, Grant Thompson and Robert W. McKenzie, Jr.  Visitation will be Saturday, July 19, 2014, at University United Methodist Church, 3350 Dalrymple Drive from 10:00 a.m. until the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Ken Carroll presiding.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University United Methodist Church, LSU Law Center, Hospice of Baton Rouge or your favorite charity.  The family extends its sincere appreciation and thanks to the many loving caregivers for all their assistance.