Tom Wendell Parker, Jr.

Goldsboro – Mr. Tom Wendell Parker, Jr., 81, died Saturday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

A native of Wayne County, he was the son of the late Tom W. Parker, Sr. and Lola Edwards Parker. Mr. Parker retired as a supervisor after 41 years of service with Southern Bell Telephone Company. He served his country as a Marine in World War II at Okinawa. Mr. Parker was an avid sailor. He was a member of the Pioneers of Southern Bell, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Elks Lodge #139 B.P.O.E.

On October 15, 1952 while working for Southern Bell Telephone, Mr. Parker rushed to save Mr. Robert Howell who had been critically injured by a tractor in a nearby field. For this heroic act, Mr. Parker was the recipient of the highest award from Southern Bell Telephone, the Theodore Newton Vail Award which is giving for note worthy public service.

Graveside services with Elk rites will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Willow Dale Cemetery. Rev. Hunter Preston will officiate.

Mr. Parker is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Tony Farmer of Goldsboro; his son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Janet Parker of Marietta, GA; a brother-in-law, W.R. (Bud) Mohrmann of Goldsboro; and his grandchildren, Parker Farmer of Goldsboro, Michael, Stacey, and Scott Parker, all of Atlanta, GA, and Allen and Matthew Parker of Marietta, GA. He is also survived by his niece, Bennett Womack of Ringgold, GA and his nephews, Ben Daniels III of Goldsboro, and Bill Mills of Chicago, IL; a special friend, Gladys Willie Jackson of Goldsoborther relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Parker; a son, T.W. Parker III and his sisters, Dorothy Mohrmann, Fanny Parker, and Ann Mills.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834 or to the charity of one’s choice.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home and also Monday evening at Tom’s home in the Grantham Community, 1850 Hwy. 13 South, Goldsboro. Following the service on Wednesday, the family and friends will return to Tom’s home in Grantham for a meal.