Jacque Barnard Parker

Jacque Barnard Parker, 80, of Grapevine, Texas took one final flight to his eternal home on December 30, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Margaret Parker, and his only sibling, Kay I. Hollingsworth. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Nell Conway Parker, three sons John W. Parker (wife, Joy), Scott B. Parker (wife, Becky), and Jeffrey L. Parker (Gina Manolis); six grandchildren, Bri Parker, Laura Olson (husband, Ross), Kyle Parker, Morgan Thompson (husband, Hayden), Aimee Parker, and Ryan Parker; two great-grandsons, Cooper Thompson, Luke Parker and one great-granddaughter, Blake Olson. 

Jacque was born in Berea, Ohio on December 2, 1940 to William and Margaret Parker. He attended THE Ohio State University and played trumpet in their infamous marching band.  He joined the Air Force and was called to active duty with the 302nd Troop Carrier Wing during the Cuban missile crisis as Airman Third Class, where he was a radio operator with the unit which flew C-119 planes.  He realized a love for flying and became a pilot, quickly moving up to Captain, and his career took him from Ohio to Texas to Australia as his home bases, although he saw many parts of the world through his travels. He flew for Lake Central Regional Carrier, Braniff Airlines and Qantas Airways before retiring in 2000.  

Even though he retired from flying, his love for planes continued. He had introduced his sons to flying control line planes at a young age and then transitioned to the new technology of RC (remote control) and even combat RC competitions as adults. He worked part-time for many years at Roy’s Hobby Shop to support his hobby and his love for rebuilding planes as his field name was Crash Parker. He was a devoted member and held various officer roles throughout the years for the NDRCC (North Dallas RC Club) of which he was also co-founder, the 114th Aero Squadron RC Club Grapevine and GSW (Greater Southwest) Club. Nearly every Monday without fail, you could find him having lunch with his RC buddies (the Mullets) and if the weather was nice an afternoon of RC flying would follow. Upon learning of Jacque’s passing, one of his flying buddies said “Jacque was an amazing person…..of all the souls I have ever known, his was the one that deserved to live forever.” We are grateful to know that while he may not be on this earth, we will see him in heaven one day.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Jacque Parker to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or go to https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate to donate online.

The family will have a memorial service at a future date yet to be determined. 

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