Gregory Van Parker

Gregory Van Parker was born in Eureka, Kansas on November 29, 1960 to Van and Claudene (Bleeker) Parker.  He was the oldest of four children.  During his early childhood, his family lived in several different places, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia.  His family moved to Cromwell, Oklahoma when he was in seventh grade and he graduated from Butner High School in 1979. Greg married his high school sweetheart, Jerri Lynn (Fuller), on June 18, 1979 in Miami, OK.  They made their home in Cromwell.  Together, they had five children who were always encouraged to pursue their education and passions for life. Greg earned an associate’s degree from Seminole State College in 2006 and was pursuing a degree in computer science from Tulsa Community College at the time of his death. Greg worked from 1984-1995 at Hayes Axle in Seminole, OK as a computer draftsman.  He was a member of the Seminole Elks Lodge and served as the Exalted Ruler in 1992.  He worked for the next 17 years at Electronic Storage Corporation in Tulsa, OK as a computer systems engineer. Greg was actively involved in local politics and ran for State Representative in 2004 and 2006.  He volunteered for the Oklahoma Food Co-op as a computer software developer and he enjoyed helping with the family business, G-J All Natural Beef.  The family was recognized as Seminole County’s Farm Family of the Year in 2009. Greg loved woodworking and built many treasured pieces for his family.  He liked to cheer on his children and grandchildren at their various sporting events and activities, play guitar, and ride his motorcycle.  He had his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying.  Greg loved to travel.  He had visited all 50 states and several different countries.  He was an advanced certified scuba diver and made several guest appearances to Strother Elementary School as “Scuba Greg”.  Greg died on January 4, 2013 in Tulsa, OK.  His funeral service will be held at the Church of Christ at Seminole on Thursday, January 10 at 2:00 p.m. under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Greg’s former high school friends: Ernie Broom, Mike Davis, Billy Douglas, Glenn Swafford, Brad Welch, and Ed Wesley. Officiating will be Chris Stinnett and the song service will be lead by Arpoika Daniels. Greg will be laid to rest in Little Cemetery. Greg was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Sherman and Myrtle (Lasiter) Parker; maternal grandmother, Agnes (Bleeker) Churchill; father, Jesse “Van” Parker; and brother, Gary Todd Parker. Greg is survived by the love of his life, Jerri (Fuller) Parker; daughter, Tabitha Jo Ann (Parker) Green and husband Justin, of Cromwell; son, Kevan Wendell Parker and wife Cortney (Smith), of Norman; son Stevan Gregory Parker and wife Lilah (Lowry), of Ada; daughter Kailyn Elizabeth Parker and fiancé Zachary Davis, of Ada; and son Calvan Doran Parker, of Cromwell.  He also had three precious grandchildren: Kellen Andrew Green, Chance Austin Green, and Ricci Marie Parker. Greg is also survived by his mother Claudene Parker, of Haskell; brother Mark Allen Parker, of Talala, OK; brother Kelly Dean Parker, of Haskell, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family of Greg Parker would like to thank everyone for the prayers, thoughts, and all other acts of kindness during this time of sorrow. Funeral Information: January 10, 2013, 2:00 PM Seminole Church Of Christ located at Hwy 99 North, Seminole, OK 74868