Alvin Edward Parker, Sr. eighty-five, peacefully left this world on Saturday, May 20, 2006, after a brief illness at Baptist Integris Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Born October 19, 1920, in Indiahoma, Oklahoma, he was the first born and loving son of Henry Alvin and Eva Pearl Smiddy Parker. As a very young child, he and his parents moved to Addington, Oklahoma, where he attended school. He married Loyce Juanita Bacon May 21, 1938, in Addington, Oklahoma, which was their home for several years before buying his ranch in the Claypool community where he lived until his death. He worked for Halliburton and as a roughneck in the oil fields. He was a cowboy and ranch hand for Tadlock ranch for many years. His lifelong occupation was that of ranching and farming. He was a member of the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association and the Addington Baptist Church.
Alvin had many passions in his long prosperous life. One of his great passions was that of reading. He loved a good book and his love of reading was instilled in all his children. His hands were never idle. He could fix anything and enjoyed taking things apart and making them like new again. Every year he and Sally, as he affectionately called her, planted a huge vegetable garden in which he took great pride and shared his bounty with friends and family. He loved playing dominos and hated to lose. He loved the role of teacher and enjoyed teaching and teasing the children in his life. He also enjoyed instructing his family in how they should live. Finally, on any lazy summer day, Alvin and Sally might be found participating in another great passion - fishing. Alvin lived a simple life, but he enjoyed his life until the Lord called him home. For that, we, his loving family, are eternally grateful.
He is survived by: his wife of 68 years, Loyce Juanita Parker of the home in the Claypool community; three daughters and sons-in-law - Linda and Donald Jones of Vernon, TX; Polly and Allen Ward of Newcastle, OK; Debra and Emory Boring of Vernon, TX.; one son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Karen Parker of Claypool, OK, a grandson raised by Alvin and Sally, who came to live in the home in 1970 is Kevin and Rhonda Bilbrey of Duncan, OK; a brother and sister-in-law, Curtis and Shirley Parker of Duncan, Ok; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert (Peggy Wallace) Parker of Ardmore, OK; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Travis Phillips of Ardmore, OK; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Phyllis Jean Parker Bilbrey, a sister, Cedral Lorraine Parker, a brother, Robert Dale Parker, and a grandson, Bobby Ray Bilbrey.
Alvin was affectionately known by his family as Grand-daddy Alvin and loved because of his stern hand and strong beliefs in hard work and perseverance. He was the head of our family and will be greatly missed by all.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at the Addington Baptist Church with Aaron Summers officiating. Burial will be in the Addington Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Waurika, Oklahoma. Grandsons will serve as Pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Addington Cemetery Association.