OBITUARY: Roger Eugene Parker

Roger Eugene Parker passed away peacefully at home in Hendersonville, Tennessee on June 2, 2025, with his wife, daughter and youngest granddaughter by his side. He was born in Live Oak Florida on November 28, 1939, graduated from Winter Haven High School, continued his education at Polk Community College and served honorably in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. His life was marked by his work, friendships and dedication to his family.

Roger married the love of his life, Linda Faye Watson, on August 8, 1959, and raised their two children in Auburndale, FL and Conway, AR. He retired in 2016 as an executive and veteran in the industrial steel construction industry, certified by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). He served as Vice-President of Schueck Steel, a division of Lexicon Inc, in Little Rock, AR where he developed the Corporate Quality Control Assurance Program and garnered their certification with (AISC). He also served as President and Board Member of Frontier Erectors in Houston, TX, owner and President of Talon Constructors Inc in Butler, IN and Partner in Parker Entertainment LLC in Nashville, TN. His greatest work included steel mills for NuCor and Steel Dynamics (SDI) in Indiana, one of the tallest buildings in Topeka, Kansas, as well as multiple residential and commercial buildings from apartment complexes to banks and high rises.

He was a man of extreme integrity, clear-sighted intelligence, and a respected leader and mentor in the lives and careers of many. Despite his professional success, even in his last days Roger would say the most important thing to him was family. He was a lifetime Master Mason, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, in Lodge 186 of Winter Haven, Florida and a member of the Shrine Temple of Tampa, Florida. He held a sincere love for God and his country and enjoyed classic westerns, John Wayne, NASCAR, the Green Bay Packers, Merle Haggard, playing guitar, good barbeque, catfish and fresh oysters. He especially cherished memories of family vacations on Little Gasparilla Island, Florida.

Roger leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Linda Watson Parker, their children, Bret Cameron (Wendy) Parker and Gina Lea Parker-Lawton, and four grandchildren, Melissa Ann Parker, Kyra Christiaan Lawton, Christian Isaiah Lawton and Zoe Danae Grace Lawton.

Also survived by sisters-in-law Joan (William) Bray and Dorothy (William) Parker, nephews and nieces, Lyle Keith Hedley, Lee Clinton (Sandy) Watson, Vic Parker, Roy (Dennis) Seibold, Lanita (Buzz) Allen, Christie (David) Anderson, Dawn Renae (David) Unger, Pam Parker (Jeff) Hicks and great nephews and nieces, Ryan (Jessica) Gibson, Beau Gibson, Brandon Gibson, Jonathan (Leanne) Watson, Amy Watson Ward, Amanda (Jason) Thompson, Sam Anderson, Adam Anderson, David Unger Jr. and God-family Sharyl Leverich and Devin Swift and great-great nieces and nephews.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents, Mamie & William Parker, Sr., his four brothers and sisters, William Parker, Jr., Ray Leslie Parker Sr., Bea Parker McCurley and Betty Parker Grove and other beloved family.

Please join us for a memorial service to celebrate his life on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 10:00am, at the Nashville National Military Cemetery, 1420 Gallatin Pike S., Madison Tennessee 37115. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a gift to the Beauty Justice Project to help them assist survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. Gifts will be graciously accepted online at pay.beautyjusticeproject.org and checks payable to Gina P. Lawton may be mailed to PO Box 12, Hendersonville TN 37077. Please note BEAUTY JUSTICE PROJECT in the subject line.