Gene Floyd Parker, 65, went home to be with The Lord, losing his courageous battle with cancer on March 10,2011. Gene with preceded in death by his parents Robert and Pauline Parker, brother James, and sisters Bennie and Annie Lou. Gene’s life began on Sept. 23, 1945.
He was born and raised in Cherokee, North Carolina. He attended Cherokee High School and entered the United States Army at the age of 21, where he proudly began his tour in Vietnam. After leaving the service he began his career in the construction mining industry. This took Gene and his family throughout the country, where he worked on various projects including the Pentagon, Eisenhower Tunnel, subway, water, railroad and highway tunnels. Retiring after 30 plus years, he settled back home in Ela where he was able to enjoy other business ventures.
Gene enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, camping and sitting on the front porch visiting and enjoying his family. Gene was a gentle and loving soul who found humor in everyday life; he brought laughter to everyone. His kind and sensitive nature always kept his front porch full of friends and family. We will miss him and forever have an empty place in our lives and on our front porch.
Gene leaves behind Jeanne his loving wife of 43 years. Also to cherish his memory are his four children- Kari and her husband Sammy Rattler, Shari and husband Jeff Tucker, T.J. and husband Eric Green, Michael and future wife Ashton Locklear, and son-in-law Henry Watts, nine grandchildren, five brothers, two sisters, and a large number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, March 13, 2011, in the Chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Paul Smith will officiate . Burial will be in Tow String Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Pm Saturday at the Funeral Home.