Jack Dies Parker

Jack Dies Parker, 82, of Quitman, died on Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at the Presbyterian Home in Quitman. Born in Chattanooga, TN in 1924 to the late Elijah Munsey Parker and Cora Dies Parker, he had lived in Quitman for the past six years and was formerly of Punta Gorda, FL and Marietta.

Mr. Parker and his wife were charter members of Powers Ferry United Methodist Church, sang in the choir, and donated the church’s first organ. He was later a member at Friendship Methodist Church in Punta Gorda, FL.

A member of The Greatest Generation, Mr. Parker fought four years with the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater. Two weeks after his return, he and his fiancée, Betty, who had lovingly worn his engagement ring and waited throughout the war, were married.

Mr. Parker rode the rails with Southern Railway for 15 years as dining car steward and was president of the Union for 10 years. Among his passengers were President Harry Truman and movie stars Peter Lawford and Elizabeth Taylor. He also transported Elvis Presley to begin his Army service and afterwards back home. Mr. Parker remembered Elvis as “an unassumingly nice young Southern boy.”

When the McDonald’s chain began, Mr. Parker opened the first Atlanta area McDonald’s on U.S. 41 in Marietta, attended Hamburger University in Chicago with founder Ray Kroc, and instituted time and efficiency procedures, which were adopted company-wide. He continued to operate McDonald’s in Alabama and Florida.

Possessor of an amazing memory, Mr. Parker was an avid bridge player and acquired Lifetime Master’s status in bridge tournaments. Retiring to enjoy their canal-side home in Punta Gorda, FL, Mr. and Mrs. Parker later moved to Presbyterian Home in Quitman, GA.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Betty Parker, of Quitman, three daughters and two sons-in-law, Janice Elizabeth Kern of Laguna Niguel, CA; Marie and Leon Weeks, of Valdosta; Cathy and Jack Raney of Marietta; a sister, Jean Marcinko Ross of Marietta; a brother and sister-in-law, A. Sidney and Joyce Parker of Marietta. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren: Meghan Kern of Laguna Niguel, CA; Kevin (Stephanie) Weeks, of North Palm Beach, FL; Deanna Raney, Amber Raney, and Lindsey Raney, all of Marietta. He is preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Parker and Robert Parker.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the chapel of Powers Ferry United Methodist Church in Marietta. The Reverend Norton Campbell, a valued friend who has been with the family through weddings and funerals for 57 years, will officiate. According to Mr. Parker’s request, his ashes will be scattered over the old family home place at 2 p.m. in Dade County. This service will be conducted by his brother Sidney and niece, the Reverend Joyce Lenore Weimer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Presbyterian Homes of Georgia, 301 E. Screven Street, Quitman, GA 31643-2131 or the Powers Ferry UMC Organ Fund, 245 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30067. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanefuneralservices.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602