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Theodore Phillips Parker, Sr.

theodore parker, sr.
Theodore Phillips Parker, Sr., 88, formerly of Western (Caney Fork) North Carolina, died Thursday, January 8, 2009, at his home in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Mr. Parker was born in Jackson County and was a son of the late Oscar H. and Ollie May Phillips Parker. He was married to Thalia Sanes Parker for 56 years, who died in 2006. Mr. Parker served with the U.S. Navy during WW II on the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Baltimore and served in the Pacific Theater. Prior to WWII, he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) in Robbinsville as a surveyor, involved with constructing the Blue Ridge Parkway during President F. D. Roosevelt's administration. After the war, Mr. Parker embarked on a career in food and beverage, working his way to a Vice-Presidency in the John R. Thompson Company, which operated Henrici's and The Red Balloon Restaurants, and later, owning and managing his own chain, which included the Scotch & Sirloin restaurants, the Seven Eagles, and Ted Parker's Canal House in the Chicago area, and Ted Parker's Top-of-the-Mall in Dayton, OH. He met his wife Thalia early in his career as manager of the original landmark Henrici's on Randolph Street in downtown Chicago. After his retirement to Fort Lauderdale in 1975, Mr. Parker embarked on a second career as a residential and commercial real estate salesman and broker. He is survived by one daughter, Sharon Parker Martin of Ft. Lauderdale; one son, Theodore (Teddy) P. Parker, Jr. and wife, Lori, of Woodstock, GA; three grandchildren (Matthew, Caitlin, and Meghan) and three great-grandchildren (Isaiah, Alanna, and Aaron). Mr. Parker is also survived by four grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren from his wife's previous marriage. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with interment to follow at Brasstown Cemetery, in Caney Fork Community near Sylva. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

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  1. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE FAMILY WHAT A PLEASURE IT WAS TO LIVE BESIDE THEODORE AND HIS WIFE. MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT HIS MOTHERS HOUSE, IN CANDLER, AND ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO HIS VISITS FROM FLORIDA. GOD BE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF SORROW…JUDY GARRISON

  2. Sorry to have just now found out about both Ted and Thalia, have missed them and Teddy for many years since they all left up north so many years ago ! Teddy, if you see this, know that I think of you now and then, and though we never got together back in 1990 when I called you from the road as I drove thru Georgia on the way to Disney, I have searched for you to no avail over the years. Now I think I have a viable lead. I’ll explain more if we connect. Again, my sincerest condolences to you, Sharon, and family !


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