In Loving Memory: Charles L. Parker Cherishing an extraordinary life.
On August 5, 2025, family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Charles Leroy Parker or as most knew him, “Pete”, the beloved husband of Rachel Broome Parker.
Though hearts are heavy, everyone’s memories of Pete are filled with laughter, kindness, and his ever-present sense of mischief.
He was born on December 26, 1940, in Crowville, Franklin Parish, Louisiana, to Louis Farlowe Parker, Jr. and Sadie Mae LaBorde Parker. He was soon joined by brothers Earl Randolph “Hoakey”, Ralph “Two-Bit”, Wayne “Fuzzy”, and Bobby Ray.
He passed from this life on August 1, 2025, in Jena, Louisiana. Pete was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Two-Bit, Fuzzy, and Bobby. He is survived by his wife Rachel; three children, Larry Owen (Carol), Angela Day (John), and Charles Parker, Jr.; stepchildren, Bryan Juneau (Amber) and Jennifer Prestridge (Bill); fourteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren,; and brother, Earl “Hoakey” and his wife Jane. He remained close to many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many others, regardless of how we ended up as family or friends.
After spending eight years in Crowville, Winnsboro, and Trinity, he began fourth grade in Harrisonburg, LA. There, he attended school and spent time along the Ouachita River, Fort Hill, and in the nearby rivers and woods. He graduated from Harrisonburg High School in May 1959 and began his military service in the United States Navy in August of that same year.
He spent his military service in Great Lakes, Illinois; Alameda and San Diego, California; Ceiba, Puerto Rico; Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; and on several ships and ports of call. He was proud of his military service and sought out other service members throughout his life. If you didn’t know he was in the Navy, you probably needed to spend just five more minutes with him.
After completing his military service, he moved to Florida, where he worked full-time while earning his bachelor’s degree in 1982 from Orlando College.
He then moved back to his home state of Louisiana, where he worked for the Louisiana State Employment Office for about fifteen years. He lived throughout Central Louisiana until settling in Jena for the last ten years of his life.
Loved ones honor his life and his commitment to touching the lives of many on this day.