James Parker

James Thomas Parker of Farmington, Missouri passed away on May 17, 2015 at the Barnes Jewish Hospital having reached the age of sixty four years, three months, and twenty one days. He was born on January 26, 1951 in Bonne Terre, Missouri a son to the late Lewis Gentry and Luella (Faulkner) Parker. James had ten brothers and sisters and spent his school years in Elvins, Missouri. After school, Jim became a sergeant in the United States Army and fought in the Vietnam War. After the war, he worked for the City of Flat River and in 1973 met his first wife, Palla, during a game of poker with his cousin. James and Palla wed a year later in 1974 and became a step-father to two daughters, Della and Beth Gough. In 1975, the two had their first daughter, Dawn Parker. James was widowed in 2000 after twenty-six years of marriage to Palla. In 2001, James became the faithful companion of Karen Wyatt, and took on the role of father to two more children, Dustin and Nick Wyatt. Altogether, James had nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and was a full-time substitute grandpa to many other children having never turned any child away. James loved to spend time hunting, fishing, cutting grass, and watching cowboy movies, Walker Texas Ranger, and John Wayne was his hero. He was also a true mountain man and will be missed deeply by every life he touched. Those who remain and miss him most include Karen Wyatt of Farmington, Missouri; two sons: Dustin Wyatt and wife Mindy and Nick Wyatt and wife Amy - both of Farmington, Missouri; two daughters: Dawn Davis and husband Wayne of Farmington, Missouri and Elizabeth Gough and husband Jim of Steelville, Missouri; two brothers: Raymond Parker and David Parker; two sisters; Vicki Warden and Barb Jarvis; nine grandchildren: Amanda Parker, Ashley Boyster, Sophia Davis, Gary Davis, Joshua Wyatt, Hayden Wyatt, Trenton Wyatt, Makiah Wyatt, and Brickee Wyatt; five great-grandchildren: Addison, D.J., Lane, Madison, and Carter; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his first wife Palla Parker; daughter Della Boyster; three brothers: Paul, Buddy, and John Parker; three sisters: Bonnie Parker, Minnie, and Connie; and one great-grandson: Perry Parker. Visitation for James was held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the DeClue Funeral Home from 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Funeral services were conducted on Friday, May 22, 2015 at the DeClue Memorial Chapel at 11:00 AM with Bro. John Chamness officiating. Honoring James by serving as pallbearers were Wayne Davis, Joe Benson, Joey Benson, Raymond Parker, Kody Beatte and Tom Boyster. Serving as Honorary Pallbearer was Steve Parker Interment and final prayers will be held at the St. James Catholic Cemetery where full military honors were presented by the United States Army and Local VFW Post 6996. All funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the DeClue Funeral Home.