Friends, family, and loved ones celebrate the life of Captain David A. Parker Sr., a man of unwavering principal whose years were defined by service, integrity and steadfast conviction.

A private graveside service will be held at Fairview United Methodist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Sandy Young. He will lie in state at his home and the family will receive friends there from 5-7pm Wednesday, August 5.

Captain Parker dedicated his life to caring for others: as a United States Air Force KC-135 pilot in Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War, helping sustain the airborne missions that stood watch in defense of freedom; as a Delta Air Lines captain, safely carrying countless passengers through the skies; as an educator, sharing his knowledge with passion and integrity; and as a farmer, finding purpose in the land and the values it instilled. A 1961 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he was a forever Tarheel fan and always made sure everyone knew he felt strongly which shade of blue he preferred.

To those who knew him best, however, his greatest accomplishments were found at home. He believed in faith, family, freedom, education, and personal responsibility. He believed that these values were the foundation of a strong family and community. His life was marked not by the titles he carried, but by the character with which he carried them. Whether in the cockpit, local establishment or the dinner table, he led by example with confidence and steady wisdom.

His legacy lives on not only in the family he cherished, but also in the countless lives he influenced through his service, his work, and his relationships. He believed that we are caretakers of the values we pass from one generation to the next and left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Captain Parker is survived by his four children, David A. Parker, Jr. and wife, Jill, of Raleigh; John H. Parker and wife, Leigh, of Denton, Daniel A. Parker of Denton, and Suzanne Bulakowski and husband, Neill, of Greensboro; eleven grandchildren, Katie Parker Giguere, Mary Parker Clarkson, David Parker III, Olivia Parker, Sam Parker, Rachel Parker, Sarah Parker, Hannah Parker, Daniel Parker, Jr, Beau Bulakowski and Dean Bulakowski; and one great-grandchild, Betty Giguere; all of whom carry forward the values, love, and enduring legacy he worked so faithfully to build. His parents, Earnest and Mary Noble Parker, and his wife, Nan Johnson Parker, preceded him in death.

Though he has departed this life, his example will continue to inspire those who knew and loved him for generations to come.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Air Force ROTC at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, P.O. Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0309, Fairview United Methodist Church, c/o Seeds of Faith Campaign (Cemetery Fund), 5629 Old Hwy 109, Lexington NC 27292 or to Mountain Vista Health Park, 106 Mountain Vista Health Park Rd, Denton NC 27239.