My husband, Jimmie Choate Parker, was born in Alpine, Texas, on March 18, 1933, to Frank and Effie Choate Parker. He was the youngest of four children. He was preceded in death by his parents, of course, and by his three older siblings. He passed away on April 24, 2024.
Our lives are not totally defined by what we do. For that reason, here’s a short synopsis of the many, varied things Jimmie did throughout his life. In college, he was a champion fencer and he joined ROTC. That led to his career as an Army aviator, where he flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft in Colombia, Vietnam, and other places. After he left the Army, he got his Masters of Science in Social Work, Planning and Community Organizing. He went to work for what was then the Department of Public Welfare where he conceptualized and implemented the first program for the aged, blind, and disabled. After we married and moved to El Paso, he became the Executive Director for the El Paso Lighthouse for the Blind. He finished his working career as CEO of Centro San Vicente, a federally qualified health center run by the Daughters of Charity, serving a medically underserved population in the Lower Valley of El Paso. He also authored three books – one novel, one book of poetry, and a chapbook containing his haiku.
But the totality of our lives is not what we do – it is who we are. Jimmie was a gentleman and a gentle man. He was brilliant, creative, funny, spiritual. He was a great storyteller and shared many stories with family and friends. He was a true and loyal friend. He was kind-hearted and trusting. He was loving and loved by many. He loved deeply and was deeply loved. He was brave, especially during his Army career and more importantly in his life. This is especially true as he aged and faced health challenge after health challenge. He faced each one with grace and fortitude, and he showed me how to be kind and gracious in the face of adversity. He will be sorely missed by those of us who remain, including his beloved daughter Judy Parker and son John Parker and John’s wife Billie; his grandchildren Saffron Parker and her partner Mike Hansen and their blended family Zoe Johnson and Drake and Jameson Hansen; Franklin Parker and his partner Alexandra Lund and his children Aiden, Adelais, and August Parker; and Robert Williamson and his partner Crystal Giddins and their children Mia and Otis. And by me, his wife of 37 years and our dog Sylvie.
I want to thank all the staff of The Brixton at Horseshoe Bay, especially those nurses and aides who took such kind, loving care of him in his final days – you know who you are. Altus Hospice was wonderful in his last few days. Before going to the Brixton, Jimmie received loving care from Visiting Angel Veronica Guevara. Also, Elena Kinard, home health nurse, and Kelly Mason, physical therapist, made his last months at home comfortable.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the American Lung Association, Highland Lakes Canine Rescue, Temple Mount Sinai in El Paso, TX, or a charity of your choice.
A graveside service will be held at Temple Mount Sinai Cemetery in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, May 1, at 1:30 pm.
