W.A. Parker
June 7, 1931 ~ February 21, 2017
Known to his friends as Parker and sometimes even, “Bird Dog,” W. A. Parker of Linden, Texas, a much respected educator, loyal friend, and devoted father and grandfather passed from his Earthly home on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Born in Vernon Parish, Louisiana on June 7, 1931, he leaves a legacy of truthfulness, a strong work ethic, unwavering support, enormous generosity, and a “sprinkling” of stubbornness and candor.
After graduating from Joaquin High School in 1949, he attended Howard Payne College on a football scholarship and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. Parker proudly served Linden-Kildare CISD for 28 years, 25 of those years as Superintendent of Schools. He began his coaching career in Tatum and served as coach and principal in Tenaha, Texas, where he and his former wife of 36 years, Beth McCoy Crawford, gained lifelong and treasured friends. While at Linden-Kildare, he built a reputation as a fair, straightforward, and resolute leader who put the wellbeing of children at the forefront of his every action. Among the many honors he received during his career, the 2000 dedication of the Linden-Kildare CISD W. A. Parker Administration Building was his most cherished. Parker was an avid quail hunter, dog lover, zealous gardener, and staunch supporter of all things L-K, especially L-K Tiger Football.
He is survived by his two daughters and son-in-law, Lisa Agnor of Marshall, and Pollianne and Mark Smith of Lufkin; four grandchildren, his pride and joy, Cally Nicholson and husband Nathan, Alex Agnor, Parker Echols and wife Diana, and Molly Kate Ernst and husband Trey; two great-grandchildren, both shining lights in his final months, Carmen Elizabeth Echols and Tate McCoy Nicholson; one niece, Yvonne Scanagatta; and special friend, Polly Foster.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Billy Parker; his loving parents, William Arthur and Nettie Jo Parker; and three sisters, Marilynn, Sue, and Doris.
The family will welcome visitors in the Fellowship Hall of the Linden United Methodist Church beginning at 11:30 a.m., on Friday, February 24, 2017 with the service following in the sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, interment will be at Restland Cemetery in Tenaha, Texas under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.
The family would appreciate memorials to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
After graduating from Joaquin High School in 1949, he attended Howard Payne College on a football scholarship and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. Parker proudly served Linden-Kildare CISD for 28 years, 25 of those years as Superintendent of Schools. He began his coaching career in Tatum and served as coach and principal in Tenaha, Texas, where he and his former wife of 36 years, Beth McCoy Crawford, gained lifelong and treasured friends. While at Linden-Kildare, he built a reputation as a fair, straightforward, and resolute leader who put the wellbeing of children at the forefront of his every action. Among the many honors he received during his career, the 2000 dedication of the Linden-Kildare CISD W. A. Parker Administration Building was his most cherished. Parker was an avid quail hunter, dog lover, zealous gardener, and staunch supporter of all things L-K, especially L-K Tiger Football.
He is survived by his two daughters and son-in-law, Lisa Agnor of Marshall, and Pollianne and Mark Smith of Lufkin; four grandchildren, his pride and joy, Cally Nicholson and husband Nathan, Alex Agnor, Parker Echols and wife Diana, and Molly Kate Ernst and husband Trey; two great-grandchildren, both shining lights in his final months, Carmen Elizabeth Echols and Tate McCoy Nicholson; one niece, Yvonne Scanagatta; and special friend, Polly Foster.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Billy Parker; his loving parents, William Arthur and Nettie Jo Parker; and three sisters, Marilynn, Sue, and Doris.
The family will welcome visitors in the Fellowship Hall of the Linden United Methodist Church beginning at 11:30 a.m., on Friday, February 24, 2017 with the service following in the sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, interment will be at Restland Cemetery in Tenaha, Texas under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.
The family would appreciate memorials to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
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Pollianne. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that you can find peace in the coming months. I will be praying for your family.
So sorry to hear this news. He was always good to me. My prayers are with the family. I pray God gives you peace and understanding during this difficult time.
Pollianne. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that you can find peace in the coming months. I will be praying for your family.
Pollianne. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that you can find peace in the coming months. I will be praying for your family.
Love and hugs to the family! I really cherish the relationship we all had with Mr. Parker while at L-KHS. Class of 1965
Pollianne. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that you can find peace in the coming months. I will be praying for your family.
Pollianne. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that you can find peace in the coming months. I will be praying for your family.
Pollianne. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that you can find peace in the coming months. I will be praying for your family.
Pollianne. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that you can find peace in the coming months. I will be praying for your family.
Pollianne, I’m very sorry for your loss. You’re in my prayers. Christi Rhyne
To the family: Mr. Parker, Parker, was a wonderful man. I can truly say he influenced my life and I will remember him always. He was one of my brother’s best friends and I have been privileged to visit with him many times over the years. It saddens me to know that he is gone but I know he and Ken are having a grand ole time together and he is once again healthy and whole. I loved the man so many admire. May he rest in peace.
Pollianne. I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray that you can find peace in the coming months. I will be praying for your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your family is very special. Love you and praying for you.
Rest In Peace in the arms of the Lord, oh good & faithful servant.
R.I.P Mr. Parker
You are in my prayers.
Mr.Parker you will be missed. Prayers go out to the family.
Mr. Parker was a good man. He was especially good for Linden. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
MR. PARKER WAS A GREAT MAN, HELPED A MANY OF L-K STUDENT AND HELP KEEP THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH , HE WILL BE TRULY BE MISSED BY ALL THAT KNEW HIM. R.I.P. MR W.A. PARKER , WE ALL TRULY LOVED YOU.
Mr. Parker was a wonderful friend and mentor. Mr. Parker was kind enough to give me my first opportunity to be a school administrator. He was always encouraging, fun, supportive and a wonderful friend to my family. Mr. Parker was a hoot to travel with for business meetings. His driving abilities were something of a legend. I will miss Mr. Parker very much.
Mr. Parker will truly be missed. There was never a time that I didn’t see him in town and say "Hey Mr. Parker" that he didn’t smile and speak back, enough though he probably did remember who I was. Lol But he would always have that same smile that would brighten anyone day. RIH Mr. Parker
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I loved Mr Parker!!
You were a wonderful role model for all the youth that had the privilege of knowing you through the years. We need more men like you in our schools today. God Speed, Parker. Eleanor Storey Hart Class of 1964 Tenaha High School
Loved talking to him over the years, mostly about football as usual, always got around to talking about,LK team of what ever year it was,lol loved him even when I was in school,hard to beat him and BigJack
We are so deeply sorry for you loss! Beverly and I offer our love and prayers for your entire family in hopes that you find support from your family and friends during this time of grief. As He Promised, He Will Do John 14:1-4 ‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.’ J.C. & Beverly Hughes
RIP coach. Tenaha Tigers, 1961. District Champs.
TREMENDOUS GENTLEMAN: All he ever asked was for each person (especially students) to try "Give it your all" in everything you attempt. In the early 60’s, his coaching helped us, a group of country boys, to a district football championship. It helped renew and start an excitement that has led to an entire community coming together for educational and spiritual betterment because of the continuing of learning to do what we did not know could be done until almost everyone began to "Give it our all."
I remember Mr. Parker as our L-K high principal back in 1964. He was a fair and good man. I don"t know how he put up with all us boys. Being older and a little smarter, I know now he loved us and wanted what was best for us. Rest in peace Mr. Parker and thank you for caring and loving us kids.
My sympathies to the Parker family: Ecclesiastes 3:12 tells us ‘that there is nothing better ‘ than to rejoice and to do good during one’s life: May Almighty God’s loving-kindness comfort you as you celebrate Mr. Parker’s well lived life. – Psalm 119:76, Ecclesiastes 3:1,4
So sorry for your loss. He was a great influence in my life. Very respected man.
I can remember one day after lunch our classes were interrupted by loud gun shots. Mr. Parker had borrowed a students .30-.30 rifle and was shooting at a skunk down from the homemaking room. He shot five times and never hit the skunk. Mr. Morris Love went down with a broom stick and killed the skunk. At my retirement Mr. Parker told me, "I gave you about 3 years and then you would leave LK." I told him how much I appreciated him giving me a job and that I really fooled him by staying 38 years. I always knew where I stood with Mr. Parker and never had a problem with him. He was always good to my wife and family. He was a one of a kind man. My heart and prayers go out to his family. God bless each of you. Rodney Love PS. All you English teachers please excuse my grammar and punctuation.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss I remember Mr Parker well
My HS coach and one of our Home room teachers. He stood for right and all knew that when he was coach and Principal at Tenaha. Said what he meant and meant what he said. The world and schools would be much better off with more leaders like him. Took me to Austin a couple times to Run the hurdles as well as New Orleans on our Sr. trip. What a positive example he set for so many people.
I will always be thankful for Mr. W.A. Parker. He hired a wet behind the ears, just out of college, young man to teach. Each year he would contact my draft board and tell them he needed me to teach science. About three weeks into the school year he called me into his office and asked if I wanted to drive a school bus. Being very poor at the time and ignorant I said yes. He handed me a drivers handbook and said, "you take your written test tomorrow and drivers test the next day." That started my 37 year experience on the school bus, driving the same route. One day my bus had broken down and Mr. Parker picked me up and was carrying me back to the high school to get another bus and he ran over a opossum. I said, "Mr. Parker turn around so I can pick that opossum up." He asked, "what are you going to do with it?" I said, "You are not paying me enough and I’m going to have it for supper." He turned around and I picked up the opossum, but he did not give me a raise. continued….
Parker may have had somewhat of a gruff exterior, but was one of the sweetest and caring persons we have ever known. He has been & will be missed in the men’s bible class as well as the entire community of Linden. May you rest in peace dear friend. Ronnie & Jackie Clayton
You were a blessing to so many youth. We loved you then and pray God’s blessings on your family. From an old Tenaha alumni
My prayers are with you all during your time of sorrow.
So very sorry for your loss. Mr. Parker will be missed.
Lisa and Pollianne, I am so sorry for your loss. You dad was a ROCK of the community. I enjoyed working for him and being a church member with him. If something needed done, Parker would handle it.