Gene Burl Parker

Gene Burl Parker, 94 years of age, died on Thursday, August 5, 2021, at Westbrook Terrace, Jefferson City, surrounded by his family. Heaven gained the most trusted, respected, and faithful man. Gene was born on March 29, 1927, to William Alfred and Bertha Irene Parker. He was born in a two-story, eight room farm house in Meta, Missouri, the fifth of six siblings: Clay, Mae, Lois, Loren, Gene and Marion. Gene was a child of the Great Depression. He and his family worked rigorously on the farm but he still managed to find time to swim, hunt, and fish. He learned the value of hard work as a child and portrayed this strong work ethic his entire life. Gene was a man of integrity. He was everything we know to be true when the words "good man" are spoken. He was a man of his word and you could count on him for anything. Gene met the love of his life, Lorraine Haggerty, in 1948. He was smitten with her from the moment he saw her, a pure gentleman at heart. He wooed her and joined her hand in marriage on September 1, 1951. They shared seven decades of marriage. Gene watched his family grow with pride. He was a wonderful husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and most recently a great-great-grandfather. Gene was a deeply caring, loving man who always welcomed his family to his home. He always enjoyed grilling for his family with beer in hand. He was as ornery and fun-loving as one can be, even into the final days of his life. One of his therapists commented, "We can't keep him serious long enough to work with us. We loved working with him because he made us laugh." He had a great sense of humor, always cleverly inserting his quick wit. He came from a family of teachers, and he taught in several one room schoolhouses including Thompson Hill and Campground School. After a brief stint in St. Louis working as a night auditor for both the Mayfair and Lennox Hotels, Gene and Lorraine relocated to Jefferson City, Mo. Gene began work for Central Electric Power Cooperative in 1958, and retired from there 37 years later. He worked as an accountant and was the founding manager of the Central Electric Credit Union. A great judge of character, he was proud that after approving hundreds of loans, there was not one write-off. In 1954, Gene and Lorraine purchased 100 acres of land, adjoining the farm he grew up on, what he called his "homeplace." This farm became a very special place to him. A childhood friend and neighboring farmer would often exclaim "There's not another place like it in the whole world," and Gene would jokingly respond, "Well I'd sure hope not." It is here that he welcomed his family for fishing in the pond, riding on his tractor, hiking in the woods, or hunting for rabbits, quail or turkey. To have known him, was to have been touched by him. So to all who knew him, you will always be touched by his spirit. It might be in the hoot of an owl, the gobble of a turkey, deer roaming at dusk, sunset over a pond, or the whistle of a bobwhite quail. Gene is survived by his wife, Lorraine Parker of Jefferson City; sons, Marc of Jefferson City, Carl (Katrina) of Milwaukee, Dale (Paula) of Columbia, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, 13 great- grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to either Immaculate Conception Church or Immaculate Conception School. Funeral Service will be Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Church. Visitation at 9:00 a.m., Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., with luncheon immediately following. Private burial will follow at Pendleton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com