Charlie Parker

Charles Stephen Parker, affectionately known as “Charlie” Parker, 82, entered Heaven, July 11, 2022, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease nine years ago. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Three Corners Cemetery with Brother Richard Dowden officiating. The family will receive friends 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Wednesday, at McWhorter Funeral Home. Our sadness abounds, while our hearts are left full of love for Charlie, his family, and friends too numerous to measure. He will be watching over each of us as the husband, dad, “Papa”, and friend he was. The word integrity optimizes the man everyone who has known him feels, and those who haven’t had the pleasure wish that he as passed through their individual life. We are each a better person because of Charlie, and that’s the greatest compliment one can bestow upon another human being. We all have grown to honor all of his life. Charlie’s life began July 6, 1940, in Nacogdoches, Texas, the son of a Continental bus driver. As often, was the case, drivers’ routes were bumped from town to town which soon took his family to Tenaha, Texas where he finished his high school days. As times were often without an abundance of cash, during high school years he could hop the bus going straight through Tenaha (free fare to family members) to Houston to work at Womack’s Grocery the entire weekend and arriving back in Tenaha at 3:00 am in time for school Monday. After graduating, he joined the U. S. Army stationed in Fort Bragg, NC, specializing in psychological warfare for 2 years, during which he chalked up numerous college credits. Charlie married his one true love, Nancy Heyland. After the service, as he had a flair for sales, took a job at Friedman Steel Industries, based in Houston and Longview, selling steel all the way to Florida, and soon became their leading salesman. In time, he became involved in the apartment business, sales and management, in Houston and surrounding areas. Many a deal was sealed with a handshake as his word was all that was needed. Honorable and hardworking were two of his charming attributes. At age 40, he moved his family to Gilmer, Texas, to take it easy and enjoy the rural life but soon found himself, along with Nancy, totally emerged in developing a registered Red Brangus herd. So at that point, Three Corners Ranch grew into not just a business, but a way of life for the entire family. So as years passed by, Kevin, their son grew into a young man. Charlie, Nancy, and Kevin became the hub of the ranch, while Kimberly took charge of the home front, and they began building a herd of superior mama cows. During this period, they held bull sales annually at their Three Corners Ranch Sale Barn, while the entire family played a part in each sale. He sold the bulls and heifers, Kevin handled what we call “working the back” (getting cattle into the ring), Kimberly was in charge of checking out the buyers along with Cynthia and her husband, Butch. The business also involved shipping bulls all over the United States, Mexico, and South America along with embryos to South Africa. They also became totally involved in The American Red Brangus Association, with headquarters based out of Austin, where Charlie served as president in 1987 and again in 1994. Charlie’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Nancy Heyland Parker; daughter, Kimberly Parker Mendenhall and husband, Brian; Kevin Wade Parker and fiancée, Tenee Beets; brother, Jerry Burns Parker and wife, Joy; sisters, Cynthia Parker Vetters and husband, Butch, Jonell Parker Donaho and husband, Ted, and Patsy Parker Goodwin and husband, Buddy; and his grandchildren, Ashley Dawn Mendenhall, Katie Claire Parker, and Emily Brooke Mendenhall. Also by Joe Hollinger, his best friend for over 60 years and longtime business partner. He was preceded in death by his father, Clayton Charles Parker and his loyal, inspiring mother, Lucille Parker. Our family is forever grateful for Hospice Plus of Longview, Jenna Sanchez, Miranda, and Charla, who daily went above and beyond their call of professional care and love. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306) or the Alzheimer's Alliance (3122 Nealy Way, Ste 227 Longview, TX 75605). Please visit Charlie’s on-line registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.

Charlie Parker

July 6, 1940 - July 11, 2022