Larry Parker

August 26, 1948 - June 13, 2024

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom, called from labor to reward our dear beloved Larry Parker. He answered the call at 12:15 p.m. at Casey House Hospice Center, Rockville, MD.

Larry was born August 26, 1948, in Annapolis, MD. He was one of seven children born to the late James and Evelyn Parker. He was educated in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools System and graduated from Annapolis Senior High School, Class of 1966.

He received Christ at an early age at Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church, Annapolis Maryland, under the pastorship of the late Rev. Joseph Grant. Larry was a role model at Mt. Olive and was an active member of the Senior Usher Board where he served as Vice President. Larry loved to dress and participated in the Male Model Fashion Show at Mt. Olive.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from September 7, 1966 – September 4, 1970, and completed his service with an Honorable Discharge. Upon his completion in the U.S. Marine Corp, he was briefly part of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. From May 2, 1972 – June 11, 1997, he was in the Army Reserves where he was Honorably Discharged. From June 12, 1997 – August 25, 2008, he was in the Army Retiree Reserves.

Larry served three tours in Vietnam and received the following metals: Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Metal, Vietnamese Service Metal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, RVN Cross of Gallantry, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Metal, Sharpshooter Badge .45 Pistol, and Marksman Badge-Rifle.

SSG Larry Parker was a member of the 1085th Map Distribution Center, located in Annapolis, MD. His primary duty of this job was to distribute non-classified and highly classified maps to military units across the United States. He would also travel from Annapolis, MD to Carlyle, PA to locate and distribute the correct maps needed for the Maps Distribution Center.

After serving in the military, Larry remained in the workforce and retired from the U.S. Naval Academy and worked at a host of other jobs.

Larry was a member of the American Legion, Severna Park, MD. He had several hobbies. He enjoyed playing Horseshoes; he was a member of the Wednesday night special Bowling League for over 30 years; he had and loved old hot rod cars to include his 1972 Monte Carlo; he liked attending car shows in Carlyle, PA; he loved running and participated in the 10k race in Annapolis, MD; and he loved watching drag-racing and old-western shows.

Larry was united in marriage to the late Linda McFarland-Parker. From this union one child, Michael Parker, was born.

On September 19, 1998, Larry married the love of his life, the late Callie Ann Hagins-Parker for over 25 years.

Larry’s siblings, James, Clarence, Shirley, James, Vincent, and Sylvia, and two nieces, Renee Isaac and Marsha Moore, preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish son, Michael Parker (Carla) of Wiesbaden, Germany; two granddaughters: Makia and London Parker of Wiesbaden, Germany; a bonus son, Jerrod Shelton (Christine) of Glen Burnie, MD; a bonus granddaughter, Chloe Johnson of Glen Burnie, MD; devoted sisters-in-law, Nancy Parker of Upper Marlboro, MD, LaVerne Berrien of Fayetteville, NC, and Vera Maxey of Ocala, FL; brothers-in-law, Melvin Clark (Gilda) of Annapolis, MD, Leroy Hagins Sr. of Tampa, FL, and Simuel Hagins Sr. of Ocala, FL.; devoted nieces, Tameka Parker-Swinson (Daryl) of Upper Marlboro, MD and Alicia Maxey of Palm Coast, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great-nephews, cousins, and special friends to include Charles Wells, Larry "Boo" Murray, and Ricky Crowdy, all of Annapolis, MD.