Lt Col Brian Thomas Parker
October 5, 1934 – March 2, 2016
Brian Parker entered his eternal reward on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at the age of 81 years. A Military Memorial Service will be held, honoring Brian’s life on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 4pm, in the American Legion Hall, Earl Graham Post 159.
A career Air Force officer and teacher, Brian Parker was born to Harry Parker and Lillian Burkowske Parker in Fort Meade, Maryland. He began his 21-year military career as a member of the first class to graduate from the Air Force Academy in 1959. After distinguished service in Vietnam, he was posted to England AFB in Alexandria, Louisiana, where he met his wife of nearly 48 years. In 1970, he returned to the Academy as an instructor. After completing a Master’s degree at the University of Denver in 1974, he was assigned to the ROTC program at Texas A&M. After a final posting to RAF Lakenheath (England), he retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1980 and settled in Bryan.
After retirement, he raised horses and taught for 18 years at Blinn College in College Station. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post 159, the Vietnam Veterans Association, and an officer of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association.
His parents precede him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Francyse Parker; his children Dennis Parker with wife Angela, Suzie Van with husband Ricky, Tim Parker with wife Suzanne, Steve Parker, and Nicole Parker; his grandchildren Jaimie Parker, Kindel Jenkins, Cassie Parker, Kayla Parker, Tommy Parker; one great grandchild, Ainsley Jenkins; and many relatives and friends.
His remains will be buried at the Air Force Academy at a later date. Expressions of condolence can be made at callawayjones.com.
Donna and I are very saddened by the news of Col Parker’s passing. You all have a special place in our hearts for making us part of your family back in our cadet days, and we now share in your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all in the difficult time. BJ & Donna Stanton
Fran,
I am so sorry to receive your email about Brian.
I tried to contact you but couldn’t leave a voice mail. I wondered so many times how he was doing.
I can’t be at his Memorial in person, but I will be in memories and thoughts and prayers for Brian and you all.
God Bless You.
Jim Kelm
I am so sorry for your family’s loss of great husband, father and grandfather and to so many to numerous to count a valuable and loyal friend.
He will be missed by so many.
Sandra Lynn
Dear Fran,
Were that words could express to you the sorrow that fills my heart over the loss of your loving husband and my dearest friend, I would write a thousand books. But those who knew and loved him … we know there still would not be words enough.
May God hold your saddened heart in His loving hands, giving you and all the members of the Parker family comfort through this most hurtful time.
As for me…, his loving memories, as a God fearing man, a loving husband and father, a lover of our america, liberty and freedom, and as a military commander with a heart bigger than all of Texas…, will forever brightly shine in my mind’s eye for as long as I live.
God Bless You.
Gary
Dear Fran,
I am so saddened to hear of my cousin Brian’s passing. Though I haven’t seen the two of you in a few years, I have thought of you and family, and missed your Christmas letter.
Having lost our cousin Carl last month, makes this doubly hard for me. Thinking of you and family at this time and understanding how you feel having lost my husband last summer. May God be with you all.
Janet
God bless you sir and thank you for all your love and kindness!
Bill, Synnove and I are tremendously saddened by the passing of Brian Parker (I will call him thus, because I did not know him as Lt. Col). He came into our lives in his years of “retirement” at Blinn, and in the horse community. What would Lost Horizon horse shows have been in the 1990s without Brian’s always-positive presence, his sardonic humor, his perpetual encouragement of the younger riders, his excellence as a horseman, his stellar sportsmanship? Not to forget the great Palomino vs. Appaloosa color horse “rivalry” we enjoyed for a number of years showing together… It was wonderful to see him introduce his grandchildren to the sport, to continue to support Lost Horizon with the Color Horse award, and being with Brian and Fran at awards banquets was a special treat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in your great loss… our great loss as well…
I am sorry for your loss.
I hope your good memories will be a comfort to you.
(Ronnie has lived in Atlanta for the the last 20 years. I will let him know)
Allen Segal
Dear Fran,
We will miss Brian and his perpetual smile. We are on the road in South Carolina and send our condolences to you and your family and our regrets that we will not be able to attend the memorial service. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Garrett and Leslie
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Mr Parker was such a kind, sweet, patient, amazing man. He will be greatly missed by many, especially me. God bless. Jeannie Williams.
Brian was a friend and it was honor to have him on “Veterans of the Valley”. He was the first veteran to give me one of his coins. He was proud of his service and especially his involvement in bring injured servicemen from San Antonio to Aggie baseball games.
I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH HIS COIN AND BOTH OF YOUR FRIENDSHIPS.
Lt Col (ret) STan Furlow, Jr.
Sorry to hear about the passing of Lt Col Parker. He helped me find the next of kin of Earl Estabrooks who me and my team rescued from a B57 bomber crash and recovered the body of the pilot Oxely
In Vietnam 1967