James King Parker, 103, of Burgaw, NC passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2018.

He was born December 10, 1914 in Nauvoo, Illinois to James Bennett Parker and Addie Elizabeth (Bolton) Parker. He married Ruth DeLoris (Walker) Parker, September 19, 1936 in Wichita, Kansas.

Mr. Parker grew up on the family farm in Nauvoo, IL. He graduated in 1933 from high school in Dallas City, IL. His lifetime passion was to fly airplanes, so in 1935, he traveled to Nebraska and attended Lincoln Flying School (the only flying school at the time – where Lindbergh attended). After graduating, he worked for Cessna Aircraft in Wichita before traveling to California to work at Douglas Aircraft. Because of the strong family ties in Illinois, he and Ruth returned to Illinois and spent the next 16 years farming, raising their 5 children……and flying the Piper Cub he kept on the farm.

"King " as most of his family and friends called him, sold the farm in 1957 and moved the family to Tucson, AZ. In Tucson, he worked for a landscaping company, making the University, Hwy 10 and many other areas around Tucson more beautiful. Just before retiring, they lived in Riverside California and Dad again did landscaping, this time at the University of California. His knowledge of trees, plants, and flowers was always inspiring to the younger generation.

When he retired, he and his wife of 69 years traveled the United States, visiting family and friends as well as parts of the country they had never discovered or places the wanted to see again. They loved traveling and Dad said in later years that was the happiest of times. Eventually, they settled in St. George, UT, living close to their daughter, Lynne. Mr. Parker was an avid reader, especially poetry, he played the organ (took lessons in his 80's) and took up painting in his 70's – his family will continue to enjoy his art work for many years to come. He never lost his love of airplanes, and when he was 92, he was thrilled to have the opportunity to fly one last time – a Cessna. He will be missed by his family. He was a wonderful, kind and gentle soul. We were blessed to have enjoyed his life among us for so many years. His example for living will be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Mr. Parker is survived by two daughters, Sandra Dee Farley (Victor) and Nancy DeLoris Alguire, both of North Carolina; son, James Douglas Parker of St. Charles, MO; 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and sisters; his wife, Ruth; one daughter, Lynne Anne; and one son, Jay King Parker, of St. George, UT.

Mr. Parker will be interred beside his beloved wife in Pine Valley Cemetery, Pine Valley, Utah on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

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Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.