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Submitted: 10/24/23 • Approved: 10/24/23 • Last Updated: 10/27/23 • R1507177-G1507175-S3
Douglas
SECOND LIEUTENANT ??
World War II
November 21, 1924 - May 6, 2018
Douglas W. Parker passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 6 at home surrounded by his family.
He was born November 21, 1924, in Pasadena, California to Harriet and Walter Parker.
He graduated from Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles at the age of 17 and attended one year of college at Mount Shasta, California. World War II began and Doug’s desire was to become a fighter pilot. In fact Governor Adkins of Arkansas was instrumental in Doug’s achieving his aviation dreams. He received his basic training in Amarillo and then served from there in Minnesota and Phoenix where he received his wings and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in March, 1945. When he received his orders to fly to China, he took a quick leave to marry the love of his life – Loretta Yocum – his “angel.” He continued to call her "angel" throughout the 73 years of their marriage. After receiving an honorable discharge in November of 1945 he enrolled at the University of Arkansas. He was a member of Phi Sigma Honorary Society and graduated with a BS degree in zoology and a minor in geology in the spring of 1948. He and Loretta moved to Fort Smith where he was employed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission prior to receiving his law degree from LaSalle University in Chicago. He practiced criminal law in Fort Smith for 30 plus years and was known as the best trial lawyer in Arkansas. He was licensed by the Arkansas Supreme Court and was a member of the Sebastian County Bar Association.
As a member of First United Methodist Church he was deeply involved in all aspects – serving as a certified lay minister, trustee of the Foundation Board, youth counselor, member of the Administrative Board, SPR Committee member, a member of the choir, and a Sunday School teacher for 25 years. Doug was an integral part of the Fort Smith community. For over 20 years, he was a charter member and Chairman of Leadership Fort Smith; Chairman of the Arkansas Waterways Commission; and Chairman of the Fort Smith Port Authority. He was one of the three people who instituted the city council form of government we now have in Fort Smith. He was a past president of the Fort Smith Exchange Club, served on the Hardscrabble Country Club board, and the Young Life Board, He was also a 32nd degree Mason, and a Boy Scout of America Silver Beaver.
To say that Doug was an avid and legendary fisherman who could find the fish and what they were biting is an understatement. In fact in his spare time he invented Rabble Rouser lures which sold across America and for which he held 12 patents. He was instrumental in developing Sugar Loaf Lake, Sebastian Lake, and the James Fork Reservoir near Fort Smith.
Doug was preceded in death by two brothers, Dr. Joe Parker and Roy Parker, and a beloved son, Dr. Douglas W. Parker Jr. He is survived by his loving wife, Loretta; and his dear son, Kyle Parker and his wife Renee; Melissa Parker, his daughter-in-law; and his sister, Harriet Jane Parker. He left behind four grandchildren, Ashley Parker, Brandon Parker (wife Jessica), Marshall Parker, and Christian Parker; two great-grandchildren, Wade and Zoie Parker, and a host of nieces and nephews. He will always be remembered for his integrity, sense of humor, gleeful laughter, and that twinkle in his eyes.
Viewing of the body will be at Edwards Funeral Home on Friday, May 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. After a private family committal at Rose Lawn cemetery, a memorial service will be held in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 12 at 11:00 a.m.
Pallbearers will be Doug’s three grandsons and his great-grandson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Boyd Saviers, Dr. John Watts, Bruce McNeill, and Dr. Frank Griffin.
Loretta
June 29, 1927 - October 12, 2021
Loretta A. Parker (Yocum) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, surrounded by her family.
She was born June 29, 1927, in Overcup, Arkansas, to Payton and Velma Yocum.
She graduated from Morrilton High School in 1944 and went on to attend the Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) studying Home Economics and Textiles.
She married the love of her life, Douglas W. Parker on September 17, 1945, in Little Rock, Arkansas. When Douglas was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps, they moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where they resided from 1945 to 1948. Following Douglas's graduation from the University of Arkansas, they moved to Fort Smith where they would live out their lives.
Loretta embodied the best of the "Greatest Generation," in that she modeled love of family, civic engagement, and love of God. To say Loretta was involved in the Fort Smith community would be an understatement. She held over thirty leadership positions throughout the city, including twenty-four years on the Sparks Hospital Foundation board, serving as the president of the Sparks Hospital Guild, ten years on the Fort Smith Parking Authority, the Fort Smith Public Schools where she served as the Northside High School PTA president, a founding member of the Hardscrabble Garden Club, and multiple times as president of Chapter F PEO, where she was a sister for fifty-seven years. She impacted numerous lives through her service to the Fort Smith First United Methodist Church where she served as a trustee of the church, president of United Methodist Women, a choir member, a youth counselor, and as a board member of both the Administration and Foundation boards.
At her core, Loretta Parker was an upstanding woman who would do anything for her loved ones. A true lady, who epitomized elegance, beauty, morality, and character. She found joy in the world through her sharp wit, wonderful sense of humor, and intellectual curiosity. She will be missed by all those who had the pleasure to have ever known her.
Loretta was preceded in death by five sisters, one brother, her beloved son, Dr. Douglas W. Parker Jr., and her husband and love of her life for seventy-three years, Douglas W. Parker Sr.
She is survived by her son, Kyle D. Parker and his wife Renee; Melissa Parker, her daughter-in-law, and her sister Carolyn Yarbrough (Bobby). She left behind four grandchildren, Ashley Parker, Brandon Parker (Jessica), Marshall Parker, and Christian Parker; two great-grandchildren, Wade and Zoie Parker, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation with the family will be held at Edwards Funeral Home on Sunday, October 17 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Following a private family committal at Rose Lawn cemetery, the memorial service and celebration of life will be held in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church on Monday, October 18, at 10:00 am.
Pallbearers will be Loretta's three grandsons and her great-grandson, as well as Dr. John Watts, and James KimBrow.
Photo courtesy of Frances Allen Titsworth
Contributed on 10/24/23 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1507177