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missipboy
- Thread starter battle
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I am stunned to hear this! I was looking forward to talking with him at the crawl...
Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys and all your families. This is beyond belief.. At a loss for words..
Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys and all your families. This is beyond belief.. At a loss for words..
No, I'm still trying to become one. We laid a good man to rest today.
I can promise that the Tunica Academy bleachers have never been so full. There were as many folks in folding chairs as there were in the stadium seats.
There are more Cruisers, per capita, in Tunica, MS than in Jackson. There may be more built trucks there, period. And all, ALL, have ties to Parker. Those Cruisers are all now owned by great guys who all love their trucks and love Parker. Even their wives speak the lingo! "Hop in the Pig!" "are you still looking for an 80?" or "Is your 40 running yet?" all came from the mouths of Mississippi Delta Debutantes.
The funeral procession was lead by 11 Cruisers, which Battle asked me to be a part of, and I was/am highly honored to be able to participate, even though I was driving my wife's 100! I guess the cracked windsheild and check engine light gave me enough street cred. And it was only fitting that we had to give the starter of one of the 40's a "technical tap" to make it to grave side.
Don't feel sorry for Parker because he died so young. Feel sorry for his friends and family because they no longer have him.
There is an old Mark Twain quote that I have always tried to live by that reads "Be good and you will be lonesome."
Parker was a great husband, dad, brother, son, grandson and friend. But I truly believe that it was that little bit of delta wild child that ensured that he would never be lonesome.
Rest peacefully Parker, your work here is done.
Jes
Thanks Jes
ditto Jes, thanks
Well said, Jes, well said.
Jes -
Thanks for the information...what a nice guy. He was one of the first guys I wheeled with at last year's Crawl.
- Mark
Thanks for posting up about the service Jes.
I bought that 40 from Parker a few weeks ago and drove it back from Tunica all the way to Austin, Texas.
Last text I got from him was to make sure we made it back safe.
Top notch guy.
I feel very proud to own the rig that he worked on and built up...
RIP Parker.
Bodean
Hot Damn
Great write up Jes! Glad you could go and I wish I could have made the trip.
RIP Parker.
RIP Parker.
Tunica Times Obituary
Thank you Jes. Beautifully written. I know Parker would have been honored by the turnout at his service, and the Cruiser procession would definitely have made him smile.
Parker's hometown newspaper, The Tunica Times, is a weekly publication. His obituary was printed in today's edition. For non-subscribers, the entire writeup is not available on-line. I'll cut-and-paste the portion that is available. Hopefully someone from Tunica, possibly Bubba Battle, will post the entire obit here.
Dutch Parker Graves
Written by Tunica Times Thursday, 30 September 2010 19:56
Dutch Parker Graves, 31, died in an automobile accident Monday September 27, 2010 in Memphis, Tenn.
Parker was a graduate of Tunica Institute of Learning, where he earned numerous honors and awards. He was elected president of his class his junior and senior years and was selected Mr. TIL. He was a member of the football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track teams and earned All Star and All Conference recognition.
Thank you Jes. Beautifully written. I know Parker would have been honored by the turnout at his service, and the Cruiser procession would definitely have made him smile.
Parker's hometown newspaper, The Tunica Times, is a weekly publication. His obituary was printed in today's edition. For non-subscribers, the entire writeup is not available on-line. I'll cut-and-paste the portion that is available. Hopefully someone from Tunica, possibly Bubba Battle, will post the entire obit here.
Dutch Parker Graves
Written by Tunica Times Thursday, 30 September 2010 19:56
Dutch Parker Graves, 31, died in an automobile accident Monday September 27, 2010 in Memphis, Tenn.
Parker was a graduate of Tunica Institute of Learning, where he earned numerous honors and awards. He was elected president of his class his junior and senior years and was selected Mr. TIL. He was a member of the football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track teams and earned All Star and All Conference recognition.
heys guys, this is my first post and wish it was a reply to something different. just wanted to express my sadness towards the loss of Parker. I ve only owned my 62 for about a year and he and all the other cruiser owners in Tunica were the reason i bought a cruiser along with my enjoyment of off roading. Parker will be surely missed as my cruiser "go to" guy and friend. I remember his excitement of me getting a cruiser and how he didn't mind it being the same color as his 62. He was one of the first people to see it when it came home from Tyler , tx. I was so excited when he called last week to ask for help build slidders for his 62. It was an honor and priviledge to be a part of the procession with all the other cruisers and one jeep. He will be truly missed but my heart was put at ease to hear others talk about his personal testimony towards Jesus Christ and his faith. great to see these posts from all the people he touched.
At Friday's WALCS (Weird Austin Land Cruiser Society) meeting in Austin, we observed a moment of silence for Parker, then offered a toast in his memory. A good man, taken too soon.
RIP Parker.
RIP Parker.
i wish i had met Parker but never had the honor. rest peacefully Parker 
Bodean
Hot Damn
X2 Jes.
you did good Jes.