Mr. Orion Everett Parker, Jr., age 86, of Daleville, formerly of Covington, died Friday, February 16, 2018, at the Lewis Gale Medical Center, Salem. He was the husband of Patsy Arrington Parker.
Mr. Parker was born on August 23, 1931 in Alleghany County, the son of the late Orion Everett Parker, Sr. and Lola Mae Armentrout Parker. He served his country as a member of the United States Army in Korea during the conflict. O. E. was a member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he was Superintendent of the Sunday School Program for many years and very active with the church COPE ministry. He was a member and past President of the Covington-Alleghany County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, a founding member of the Triple Springs Hunt Club and a member of Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In addition to his wife, Patsy Arrington Parker, Mr. Parker is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Parker Hudson and husband, Kevin of Daleville; a brother, Harold Burton Parker and wife, Gay Nell Arrington Parker of Hot Springs; a son-in-law, William Lacy Potter of Covington; two brothers-in-law, Burdette A. Rupert of Covington and James Lewis Arrington and wife, Judy of Tampa, FL; three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Lacy Potter, Parker Ruth Hudson and Carter Hobbs Hudson; three nephews, B.A. Rupert, Jr., Alan Weade and Bobby Weade; and two nieces, Molly Gay Parker and Anna Sue Weade.
Other than his parents, Mr. Parker was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Susan Parker Potter in 2013 and a sister, Frances Parker Rupert in 1991.
A student of Mrs. Nell Fleshman, he sang in the choir at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church and later at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. O.E. was a former member of the Alleghany Chorale and was an Endman in many minstrel shows. With his beautiful voice, he shared his talents singing at many weddings and funerals. During his last three months of Army service, O.E. toured Japan as a member of an Army Glee Club and was especially proud to be selected to perform two solos at the Ernie Pyle Theater in Tokyo.
Mr. Parker retired from Hercules, Inc. as a machine auditor where he traveled to many states supporting other facilities. He was also the owner and operator of the Old Forge Restaurant in Iron Gate. In his youth, he assisted his father at the lumber yard and helped constructing many homes and buildings in the area as part of O.E. Parker Co. Inc. and for a short time, he worked at Valentino’s Restaurant located on Monroe Avenue in Covington.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 P.M. Thursday, February 22, 2018 at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church with Rev. Mike Fleenor officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers will be Howard Poague, Billy Potter, Kevin Hudson, Howard Liptrap, Jr., Kenny Duncan, Ed Hemp, Gus Hayslett and Craig Poague.
Alternate pallbearers will be Kevin Scott Young and Victor Cucci.
Honorary pallbearers will be George Persinger, Gerald Craft, Woodrow “Buddy” Young, Delbert Kerns, Jr., Phillip Layman, Lance Bryant, Jesse Carter, Wendell Hammond, Bob Snead, Joe Martin and other members of Triple Springs Hunt Club and the McAllister’s COPE program.
Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home and at the residence of Rebecca P. Hudson, 151 Tara Court, Daleville at other times.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, 900 N. Alleghany Avenue, Covington, VA 24426 or to the COPE Program, c/o McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, 900 N. Alleghany Avenue, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com