‘Tex’ Parker (7-10-12)

PENDERGRASS - Gower Rufus "Tex" Parker, Jr., 61, passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2012.

He was born in Jackson County, the son of the late Gower Rufus Parker Sr. and Willard Thomas Parker. He was the founder of Circle P Rodeo, was a member of Pond Fork Baptist Church, and a preacher at the Hall County Jail. He was retired as superintendent for the CW Matthews Asphalt Company.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Linda Parker, Pendergrass; sons, Johnny Walker, Danny (Christina) Parker, Buddy Parker, all of Pendergrass, Ronnie Parker, Millerton, Pa., and Donnie (Sarah) Parker, Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; daughter, Penny (Allen) Jones, Gainesville; brothers, William Pardon, Gainesville, Leonard Parker, Dahlonega, Ricky Parker, Gainesville; and grandchildren, John Walker, Jr., Danny Parker, Jr., Sissy Parker, Ryan Craft, Jessica Parker, Brantley Crumley, Valerie Parker, Gower Rufus Parker III, Pete Parker, Allen Jones Jr., Katelyn Jones, Ashton Jones, Ronnie Parker Jr., Matthew Parker, Levi Parker, Slater Parker and Victoria Parker; and a number of other relatives.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 15, at 2 p.m. in the Pond Fork Baptist Church with the Revs. Johnny Knight, Eddie Gordon, Jeff Hogan and Buddy Parker officiating. Mr. Parker will lie in state at the church from 1:30 until 2 on Sunday at the Church. The burial will follow in the church cemetery with his sons, daughter and grandsons serving as his pallbearers. The visitation will be held on Friday, July 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.