John Vann Parker, Sr., 74, formerly of Emerald Isle, NC, passed away peacefully at Cypress Glen Retirement Home in Greenville, NC on Saturday, February 20, 2010.

Mr. John Parker was born on December 2, 1935 in the community of Ashley Grove in North Hampton County, NC. He was raised on a farm and took pride in taking care of the farm animals and helping his father in the fields. Mr. Parker attended Conway High School and graduated in 1954. He was a good student and a good sportsman. He played baseball and basketball and was very good at both. He later served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Iceland. After serving in the Air Force, he attended the University of North Carolina State and majored in engineering. He married his childhood sweetheart, Carrie Sykes, in June of 1958. They were married for 46 years. They had two sons and resided in Washington, NC. He retired from Hamilton Beach after 20 years of service and also from Buehler Products in Kinston. After retiring, he and his wife moved to Emerald Isle to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Washington. He was very active in the community and was a Shriner. He enjoyed coaching baseball, singing hymns, and meeting and making new friends. He was a very easy going person. He had a great sense of humor and not only did he enjoy playing a joke on somebody, but he did not mind being the subject of a joke.

Mr. Parker is survived by his two sons and their spouses, John Vann Parker, Jr. and his wife, Debbie, of Emerald Isle and Roy Kevin Parker and his wife, Amy, also of Emerald Isle; four grandchildren, Grayson Parker of Swansboro and Kevin, Elizabeth and Carrie Parker all of Emerald Isle; and two siblings, Carl Parker of Conway, NC and Mae Belle Smith of Wallace, NC.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carrie Sykes Parker; his father, John Thomas Parker, and his mother, Mae Vann Parker.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Emerald Isle Baptist Church. The family will meet friends immediately after the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633. Online condolences may be made at www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.