Jimmy Jay Parker

Jimmy Jay Parker was born in Craig County Oklahoma September 26, 1929 to parents Arthur and Dott Marie Parker, the first of four boys. He died July 18 2019 in Altoona, Iowa.

After serving in the army during the Korean War, he returned to West Texas to work in the oil fields as a rough neck on drilling rigs. During this time he met the love of his life Dorothy Short. After a short courtship the two were married, a union that lasted for 66 years until his passing.

After observing "There were no old guys working the rigs" he decided to further his education at Texas Tech University earning his degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1958. He later continued his education by attending Iowa State University in Ames, IA to acquire a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Jimmy's young family moved to Ankeny, Iowa after accepting a job offer from John Deere to work as a design engineer. Shortly after moving, a wrong number connected them to a couple that were looking to start a new Southern Baptist church in Des Moines. Along with a small number of families, they formed Crestwood Baptist Church that is still ministering today. Jimmy and Dorothy were very active in the church with Jimmy teaching Sunday school and serving as a Deacon for more than 45 years and Dorothy taking care of infants in the nursery along with planning and cooking the meals before the midweek service.
Jimmy and Dorothy also enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States and Europe.

In 1985, Jimmy was offered retirement from John Deere after working 28 years and spent his time tending the house and yard along with feeding the birds and squirrels that gave Dorothy endless joy watching through the windows of the sun room.

Hunting deer, pheasants and turkey were Jimmy's passion and getting out there and chasing game was always in his thoughts. The highlight of his hobby came when he shot his 8 point buck in 1985. He never tired of telling the tale to anyone who would care to listen.

When house and yard work became too much for him to handle, the couple moved to Prairie Vista Village retirement home in Altoona, Iowa. They were happy in their new apartment, active in the building's community and having all of their needs taken care of. Jimmy's physical health declined in the last months of his life and was sent to the health care wing of the home as he needed help to walk and stand. July 18, 2019 his body gave up and he went to see Jesus leaving his wife Dorothy, daughter Brenda and son Craig. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Frank and Carl Parker.

He led a full, happy and long life, he will be greatly missed.

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