Lecil Parker, Jr.

Lecil Parker, Jr. January 22, 1925 – December 27, 2006 Lecil Parker Jr. passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2006. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Nathan Syer officiating with burial to follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 5-7 pm Friday, Dec. 29, Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Lecil Parker Jr. was born January 22, 1925 in Marion, North Carolina to Lecil and Belle Parker and moved with his family to Waco in 1929. A member of the tumultuous class of 1942 he started his apprenticeship at the Waco Tribune-Herald in early spring, graduated from Waco High School in May, married Gwen Seaberry August 30, moved his membership to North Waco Baptist Church, and was drafted into the Army Air Corps. After training as a B-17 tail gunner he was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 452nd Bomb Group, 529th squadron at Deopham Green, England. He arrived the day before D-Day and flew his first missions in support of the stalemate/breakout at St. Lo, France. Many of his other missions went deep inside Germany. Only 3 of the 30 men he bunked with were present for duty by the 9th of July, others killed, wounded or POW. Grateful for surviving, he returned to the United States in October 1944 after receiving the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and served as an aerial gunnery instructor for the remainder of the war. An active member of North Waco Baptist church for 65 years, he was a deacon, served on innumerable committees, and taught junior boys for 23 years. As a printer by profession he worked at the Waco Tribune Herald for 45 years maintaining membership in the Waco Typographical Union and serving as its President for 16 Years. He was a life member of Waco Lodge No. 92 of the AF&AM, an active participant in Karem Shrine including Arab Patrol and Texas T’s, a 32nd degree Mason, a proud member of the 452nd bomb group association, and a VFW member. In earlier years he was cubmaster of Pack 202 at Lake Waco Elementary School and scoutmaster of Troop 16. He also donated over 8 gallons of blood through the American Red Cross. He was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife of 51 years, Gwen Seaberry Parker, in 1993; and his brother, Bobby, in 2004. He is survived by four children and their spouses; Dr. Tom and Karen Parker of McKinney, Lecil David and Sandra Parker of Waco, Sally and James Syer of Houston, and Dr. Tim Ret. Maj. USAF and Debbie Parker of San Antonio; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. The seven Parker grandsons and their families are: Lecil Philip Parker CO, wife Cathy M Ed, Kylie and Morgan of Waco; Craig Parker MBA, wife Selene BS, Lauren, Kristen, and Katelyn of Edmond Oklahoma; Jeff Parker JD of Belton; Dr. Marcus Parker MD, and wife Kimberly BA and Bailey Belle of Kansas City, MO; Paul Parker MS of San Antonio; Christopher Parker MBA of San Antonio, and Nathan Syer BA, wife Elise BA of Waco. The three granddaughters are: Misha’l BSN and husband Dr. Hayden Hemphill MD and their children Aubrey, Caleb, Rachael and Mollie of Texarkana; Sara Gwen Syer BSN of Spring; and Tara Lyn Parker MSW of Waco. Also by a close friend, Marie Skinner of Waco and Lecil’s sister, Dorothy Ann Harris of San Clemente, California and his sister-in-law, Jean Parker of Ocean Springs MS. Pallbearers will be the seven grandsons. The family invites you to leave a message or memory at our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey