John William Parker

John was the quintessential Texan, a proud man who believed in the importance of hard work and personal sacrifice; a man who, despite his faults, sought the best in himself and in others. He was a man who did not accept mediocrity, who instilled in his three children the need and importance to work to their own potential, and the necessity to follow their own ambitions to their utmost abilities. He taught them early on to be self-reliant, and to be dependable to others. He is a man who left a legacy, and a man who left the world a better place.

Born on January 19, 1942 on the King Ranch in South Texas, John was the first of three sons born to George Brady and Mary Susan Parker. He graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1960, and then under his own initiative, moved to Austin, where he enrolled at the University of Texas and earned his law degree in 1967. From there, he started his legal career in the Travis County Attorneys Office, before moving to private practice in 1972. John was a man who charted his own path, who built a successful legal practice, and established life long friendships. On the day he passed, he was truly rich in family and friends.

But John was more than lawyer; he was also a successful cattle rancher. Following his father's death in 1987, John and his brother Richard took over the family ranch in Limestone County, Texas. John understood the importance of tradition and of putting his family's needs first. He and his brother moved the family ranch to Robertson County, Texas, and there, established themselves in the community. John split his time between his law practice in Austin and cattle ranching in Robertson County, making the weekly round trip for nearly two and a half decades. In this, he solidified his legacy of self-sacrifice, hard work, and devotion to his children.

John is preceded in death by his parents George Brady and Mary Susan Parker, as well as his two brothers, Richard Joseph and Walter Keith Parker. He is survived by his devoted, selfless, and loving wife of 41 years, Marna Kay Parker, as well as his daughters, Susan Kathleen Zavell and Cat Elizabeth Parker-Delp (Christopher), and his son, John Cody Parker. He is also survived by five grandsons, each of whom have taken lessons from John and have become upstanding young men. They are, in decreasing order of age, Brandon Chase Channell, Joseph Michael Zavell, Travis Jon Dauplaise, Jackson Robert Zavell, and Austin Jon Robert Dauplaise.

John was a humble man who did not advertise his greatness to others, for he did not see himself as exceptional, but rather as a man fulfilling his duties. But he was larger than life, and those that knew him were truly blessed, and all of whom wish him happy trails.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at St. David's South Austin Medical Center for their exceptional professionalism and kindness during this time, and in particular Drs. Ebadat and Hopkins, as well as Dr. Christopher Delp, his son-in-law, who provided comfort and care to John and his family.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016 in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that anyone wanting to do so make a donation to the American Breast Cancer Foundation in John's wife's name.