Clarence Edward Parker

Clarence Edward Parker, 91, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016. A native of Buncombe County, he was a son of the late James Virgil Parker, Sr. and Annie Bowlin Parker. He is preceded in death by his wife. June Morse Parker; his brothers, JV, Jr., Porter, and George Parker, and sisters, Vergie Stubbs, Frances Stubbs, and Pauline Parker. He is survived by three step-children, Karen King-Smith (Roger) of Asheville, Richard Condo (Sandra) of England, and Don Condo of Pennsylvania; and seven step-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Ruth Penley of Asheville, and Barbara Rogers and Peggy Powell (Hollis) of Brevard as well as his many nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Venable High School and Mars Hill Junior College. He served in the US Navy during WW II (1943-1946) in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Clarence was an independent businessman in Asheville, having owned and operated Parker Esso and Parker Recapping and Auto Sales. He retired at age 88 as owner/manager of an apartment complex. He was an active member of Emma United Methodist Church and the West Asheville Lions Club. A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2016, in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. David Warren and George Davis officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Reeves Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, 225 Sardis Road, Asheville. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emma United Methodist Church, PO Box 6921, Asheville, NC 28816, or to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.