Jerry Lee Parker, Sr.

Jerry Lee Parker, Sr., 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 10, 2023.

Jerry is survived by his daughter Pamela Parker Myers and her husband Bill, and son Jerry (“J”) L. Parker, Jr. and his wife Jennifer; granddaughter Alison Parker Dillehay and her husband Joseph; grandson Bill “Ivan” Myers III and his wife Kayla, and his step-granddaughter Tiffany Myers Barham and her family. Additionally, he is survived by his brother Francis “Frank” Parker, and his sister Royce Parker Nichols and her husband Doug, and both their families.

Jerry is also survived by countless adored cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy J. Parker and Evelyn C. Adams Parker, sisters-in-law Ila Enzor Campbell and Janice Parker, cousin Melvin Otis, and beloved nephews Ferrin Campbell, Jr., William “Willie” Enzor Campbell, and Parke Nichols.

Jerry was born on February 20, 1932 to Roy and Evelyn Parker at Enzor Brothers Hospital in Crestview, Florida. He grew up in and around his father’s automotive garage, and enjoyed being the eldest of three.

In high school, Jerry played football as a running back all four years. The 1949 conference championship team was featured in the local newspaper in a 2016 retrospective. At his high school graduation dance, Jerry danced with his future wife, Pat Enzor, for most of the evening.

After graduating from Crestview High School in 1950, Jerry attended Florida State University, majoring in Real Estate and Insurance. At FSU, he was a member of the FSU Flying High Circus, where he served as a trapeze artist. He also enjoyed Greek life as a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Shortly after his graduation from FSU, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Pat, on June 30, 1954.

In the Air Force, Jerry entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant due to his collegiate ROTC experience. While enlisted, he flew B-36 “Peacemaker” strategic bombers. He served in the Strategic Air Command under the leadership of the renowned General Curtis LeMay.

Jerry’s faith was always an important part of his life. In his adult life, he was a faithful member of Woodlawn Baptist Church, where he attended since the late 1960s. He served in various capacities, including Sunday School Superintendent and on the Board of Deacons. He adored his Sunday School class.

While Jerry and Pat spent the large majority of their lives in Crestview, Jerry’s Air Force service took them to sojourns at several bases, including those in San Antonio, Texas; Columbus, Mississippi; Big Spring, Texas; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico.

In 1961, Jerry opened Okaloosa Insurance Agency. He stridently aimed to maintain integrity throughout his business relationships, and sought to exact fairness and equity for those he served. He was conscientious and hardworking, he went into the office nearly 7 days a week until he sold the business in 2010.

While Jerry spent most of his career working with Pat at their family business, Okaloosa Insurance Agency, he had a coterie of other interesting jobs. Besides his insurance license, Jerry also had a Real Estate Broker and an appraiser license. He even received a commendation from the Florida Governor at the time for his appraisal work on the multi-county eminent domain property for the I-10 passthrough.

He valued the community and served as a civic leader in many capacities. He served as President of the Crestview Chamber of Commerce, President of the Crestview Area Board of Realtors, and as a Director of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents.

If you knew Jerry, you knew he had a jocular personality and was known as the family raconteur. He was quick to tell a joke or relay a funny anecdote. By the time he became a grandfather, he had mastered the art of storytelling. He was also a fan of moderation. While he ran wind sprints well into his 70s, he also heartily loved a slice of cake or scoop of vanilla (and only vanilla) ice cream — or even better, both.

Prior to Pat’s death on December 9, 2020, Jerry and Pat spent 66 years together as husband and wife. Their special bond truly exemplified enduring love, and served as a great example for their family.

Above all, Jerry will be remembered as the family’s coach, counselor, workhorse, and business manager all in one. He was a loving father, warm grandfather, loyal friend and confidant. He was the bulwark of the family, and he will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 17, 2023. Brackney Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.