Dr. John Parker

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Dr. John Doyle Parker, 82, a resident of Cape Girardeau, passed away Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at The Lutheran Home.

He was born Aug. 8, 1930, in Parma, to the late Thomas Hudson and Lillie Gertrude Singleton Parker.

John honorably served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp and after using the G.I. Bill to earn his bachelor's degree, he and Irma Ann taught three years at Herculaneum High School in the late 1950s. After earning his Ph.D., he taught microbiology to nursing students at the Land of Lincoln Community College in Springfield, Ill., for about 32 years. Among the many hobbies he enjoyed were professionally refinishing furniture and creating stained-glass work, producing many fine pieces. He was a member of Cape First Assembly of God Church.

He is survived by his wife, Betty L. McCulley Parker of Cape Girardeau; son, Dr. John T. "Dr. Terry" Parker of Seattle; daughters, Gwendolyn L. Dewey of Seattle and Jane Ann (Chris) Walsh of Minneapolis, MN; two students he raised like sons, Fred (Mary) Ross of Macon and James (Kathy) Perry of Fort Mill, S.C.; brothers, Aaron (Pat) Parker of Medford, Ore., and Lenon (Ina Lea) Parker of Bakersfield, Calif.; sisters, Irene (Bill) Headd of Benton and Cleta Hillyus and Rita Mae Hodges both of Bakersfield; nine grandchildren, 22 nephews, 11 nieces and 35 first cousins.

John was preceded in death by his late wife, Irma Ann Hotop Parker, on Aug. 20, 2006; infant daughter, Christina Ann; two brothers, Ron and Tom; two sisters, Lena Ruth and Evelyn.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2 at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Gary Brothers officiating.

Burial will follow at 3p.m. at Parma Cemetery in Parma.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions

may be sent to

Teen Challenge

303 MATC Lane

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

or

Cape First

254 South Silver Springs Road

Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Paid obituary