Joe Cox Parker
Greenville Herald Banner
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Joe Cox Parker, 59, died March 13, 2007, at his home in Greenville following a lengthy illness.
Joe was born Aug. 30, 1947, in Bonham to E.C. and Jo Willa Cox Parker. He and the former Tricia Pinkham were married June 28, 1980, in Greenville. He graduated from Bonham High School in 1965 and from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce) in 1969.
At the time of his death, Joe was chairman of the City of Greenville Planning and Zoning. He was involved in numerous volunteer efforts in Greenville and Bonham, including American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in both cities where he was famous for cooking his midnight pancakes.
He also worked with DrugFree Greenville, Shattered Dreams and Ducks Unlimited. He was very active in the YMCA Sports League coaching his daughter, Lauren, from kindergarten through fifth grade.
He was also well known for his 1944 Willys Jeep which has been featured in local parades and at his Lodge in Bonham.
Joe retired from E-Systems/Raytheon in 1999 as a result of his illness. He worked on many programs, and at the time of his medical retirement was a manager of contracts. Joe was also a CPA.
He was an active part of his beloved Wesley United Methodist Church. Joe served on almost every leadership area in the church including chairman of the Administrative Board, Finance, Family Ministries and teaching Sunday school.
One of his true passions and Christian calling was greeting visitors to Wesley with a firm handshake, pat on the back and “where are y’all from?”
Joe is survived by his wife of Greenville; his daughter and son-in-law, Lauren Joanna and Wesley Habluetzel of Bryan; his parents of Bonham; sisters Betsy Sterkel and Dana Nix of Bonham; two nieces; one aunt; uncles; first cousins and extended family in the Bonham area.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Matthew Cox, in 1982.
Family visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
Burial, open to everyone, is at 10 a.m. Friday at Willow Wild Cemetery, Highway 121 North in Bonham, with a reception following for his Bonham family and friends at the First Presbyterian Church in Bonham. A celebration to honor Joe’s rich, full life is scheduled at 4 p.m. Friday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Greenville with Rev. Paul Gould officiating. A reception for everyone at Wesley will immediately follow the Celebration of Life.
Pallbearers are James Kuykendall, Dan Perkins, Norman Hall, Keith Willeford, Glen Rucker, John Bishop, Richard Tharp and lifelong friend, Jerry Jones.
Memorial gifts may be made to Wesley United Methodist Building Fund for which Joe worked extensively on the planning phase of the new addition and renovation.
Submitted by Elaine Nall Bay
