James Ward Parker

James Ward Parker, 83, of Huntsville, Ark., died Aug. 14, 2014, at Meadowview Healthcare and Rehab in Huntsville, Ark. He was born April 29, 1931, at Red Star, Ark., the son of Denver and Nettie Ward Parker. He was a poultry farmer, a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Army, and a member of the Kingston Church of Christ, American Legion Post #230 at Kingston and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #10,021 at Huntsville. He loved roaming the hills, plants and gardening, studying genealogy and spending time at the Senior Center where he was Wii Bowling Champion. He also loved spending time with his family and friends telling stories and cutting up. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Crystal Yvonne Jackson Parker; his parents; one son, Abe Dotson; one sister, Elnora Martin; and five brothers, Austin Parker, Melvin Parker, Keith Parker, Otis Parker and J.D. Parker. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Edwards Parker of the home, whom he married on Sept. 7, 2002; five daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Joe Gladden of Fayette, Ala., Bernice and Craig Taylor Muldrow, Okla., Cheryl and Chip Reynolds of Lowell, Ark., Patsy and Arvin Allen, and Connie and Jerry Ledbetter, all of Huntsville, Ark.; two sisters, Reba Bolinger of Kinston, Ark., and Norene Teague of Elkins, Ark.; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Huntsville Church of Christ, with Jim Spurlock, Travis Dotson and Jimmy Allen officiating. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery, under the direction of Brashears Funeral Home, www.brashearsfuneralhome.net, of Huntsville, Ark. Pallbearers will be James' nephews and honorary pallbearers his grandsons and great-grandsons. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Madison County Senior Activity Center, Post Office Box 598, Huntsville, AR 72740-0598.