Alton Brooks Parker

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by West Point 1955 on January 22, 2020:

Lt. Col. Alton B. Parker Jr., USA, Retired Tuesday 31st of May 1932 - Monday 20th of January 2020 Lt. Col. Alton B. Parker, Jr., USA, Retired, 87, and husband of Irene Guderian Parker died on January 20, 2020. In addition to his loving wife of 64 years, he is survived by his three children, Claudia Holton, and her husband Randy Holton, of Prosperity, SC; Alton B. Parker, III, and his wife Sheila Parker, of Hendersonville, NC; and Lisa Houston, and her Husband Carl Houston, of Cynthiana, KY; sister Geraldine Lindsay, and her husband General James J. Lindsay, USA, Retired; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alton B. Parker, Sr. and Gertrude Johnson Parker and his sister Barbara Davis. Al was born 31 May 1932 in Philadelphia, PA while his father, an enlisted sailor, was stationed in San Diego, CA. His father was stricken with tuberculosis and was medically discharged causing the entire family, his mom, Gertrude and older sister, Barbara, to move to a small farm near Fort Bragg, NC. Life there was austere and a younger sister was born. In 1939 his father was employed as a postal clerk in Fairmont, NC and at the beginning of WWII they moved into the town. Al played baseball and in 1950 was co-captain of the state championship football team. He graduated in 1950 as class salutatorian and won a football scholarship to Wake Forest University. He chose to enter the University of North Carolina as a pre-med student. While there, he competed for an appointment to a military academy offered by Senator Frank P. Graham and won one to the USMA and entered there in summer of 1951. At West Point, he graduated with his class on 3 June 1955. On 30 July 1955, he married Irene Guderian. Al was a dedicated soldier who served two tours in Vietnam and received many awards, including Purple Heart and Silver Star. His dedication to his country was exceeded only by his dedication to his family and close friends. Al enjoyed many activities, including hiking and skiing, and was a lover of his pets, Lexi and Chelie. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Milward-Man O' War. The funeral will take place on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 10:30 a.m., also at Milward-Man O' War. Military honors will be rendered at his committal service, which will occur on Thursday at 12:30 p.m., at Camp Nelson National Cemetery, Nicholasville, KY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lexington Humane Society.

admin