Mr. Clayton Neel Parker

A memorial celebration of Clayton’s life will be held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville, Texas on Saturday, January 22. Family and friends are invited to attend the come-and-go celebration that will be held from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm.

Clayton, whose nickname was Preacher, was born in 1931 in Byers, Texas. When he was a teenager, he and his family relocated to Holliday, Texas, where Clayton attended and graduated from high school.

After graduation, Clayton began working as a telegraph operator for the Fort Worth and Denver Railway, a subsidiary of Burlington Northern. He traveled the mainline of the railway, which ran from Fort Worth through several west Texas towns, including Wichita Falls, Childress, and Amarillo. He eventually settled in Wichita Falls, where he met Edrena Madden. Clayton and Edrena were married in 1953 and prior to his death, they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.

After three years of job deferrals, Clayton was drafted into the army and stationed in Tacoma Washington. After serving in the army, he and Edrena returned to Wichita Falls in 1957, where Clayton resumed his career with the railway. While in Wichita Falls, Clayton and Edrena added to their family when their only child, Kay Lynn.

In 1968, Clayton transferred to Fort Worth, Texas, and began his new role as Superintendent of Transportation. While advancing his career with the railway, Clayton and his family settled in Colleyville, Texas. After 35 years of service, Clayton retired from the railway.

Although retired, Clayton continued working up until his death. Clayton lived a life of service to others. He poured his energy into helping his son-in-law and his lifelong friend, and ultimately this service led him to a charity named “Show You Care.” Clayton was involved as director of “Show You Care,” which accepted automobile donations. The cars were then repaired, inspected, and donated to those in need. In addition to this, he partnered with multiple local churches to help others in need of reliable transportation. Clayton’s passion for this charitable business helped change the lives of countless people and continued up until his death.

Clayton’s hobbies were varied and included raising cattle and spending time on the family’s ranch in nearby Parker County, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and completing crossword puzzles. Clayton was dedicated to his family and friends and was a constant fixture in the lives of his beloved grandchildren. Clayton had a strong sense of humor and a mild demeanor. He could be counted on to deliver a punchline in an understated way that caught others happily by surprise! Overall, Clayton was easy-going except he had one rule, never let the gas tank go below ¼ full. This is something his daughter still honors, despite as an adult, there is no longer the risk of being “grounded”.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, Neel Knight Parker and Ollie Pearl Parker. He is survived by his wife Edrena Parker; daughter and son-in-law, Kay Lynn and Kevin Wolfe of Colleyville; granddaughter Kenzie Wolfe of Dallas; and grandson Parker Wolfe of Las Colinas.

Clayton lived a faithful life and understood the key to everlasting life was his faith in God and his son Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UT Southwestern cancer research.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Parker family.