Joseph Daniel Parker Obituary (1941)

It is with great sadness that the family of Joseph Daniel Parker "Dan" announce his passing. Dan, 78, died on April 24, 2019 at the Kindred Hospital in Clear Lake Texas surrounded by his wife and children, following a brief illness in which he fought very hard. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Kathryn Jane (Edwards) Parker "Kathy"; his son Jacob Daniel Parker and his wife Charisa; his daughter Julie (Parker) Fletcher and her husband Clint; his sister Jan Bennett; three grandchildren (Hailey, Colt and Elizabeth); nephews and nieces and many close friends. He is preceded in death by his father Joseph William Parker and his mother Mattie Mae Parker; his brother Timothy William Parker and his brother David Lewis Parker. Dan was born on January 11, 1941 to Joseph William Parker and Mattie Mae Parker in Monahans, Texas. His dad worked in the oil fields of West Texas, moving the family to various West Texas towns throughout his early years. He and his father enjoyed singing in a Barbershop Quartet together, which led to his lifelong love of music. He graduated from Lamesa High School in 1959. He graduated from Lubbock Christian College in 1962 with an Associates in Applied Arts. He transferred to West Texas State University in 1962. While at West Texas State he was drafted by the U.S. Army, but chose to join the United States Airforce in 1965. He proudly served our country until 1968. Upon returning to the States, he began working as a locksmith until 1970 in Amarillo, Texas. While in the Airforce, he assisted missionaries in Thailand which encouraged him to enter the ministry. He entered Sunset School of Preaching in 1970, and he met his wife Kathy in August of 1970. They began dating in September and were married on December 26, 1970. Upon Graduation from Sunset School of Preaching they moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where he preached at the Church of Christ. He also preached in Athens, Texas; DeRidder, Louisiana; Picayune, Mississippi and Pasadena, Texas leading many souls to Christ up until his death. Dan was also a deacon at Watters Road Church of Christ for several years. Upon "retirement" from the ministry in 2003, he became a Federal Security Guard. Beginning in 2016, he began his "real retirement" and enjoyed three years of well-earned relaxation with his lovely wife. Dan was an avid fisherman and hunter, who loved to load his own bullets. He also had a lifelong passion for hunting arrowheads, which was taught to him by his father. He was a loyal Houston Astros fan, loving to watch them whether they were winning or losing! A memorial service will be held at Watters Road Church of Christ, 3616 Watters Road in Pasadena, TX on May 11th at 10:30 a.m. Please join the family immediately following the memorial service for a luncheon and visitation in the Annex. Dan's ashes will be interred at the Houston National Cemetery at a later date.