Gaylon C. Parker, 75

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Gaylon C. Parker, has passed away at the age of 75. He leaves behind a legacy of work on behalf of area veterans’ organizations, having served as a past-commander of VFW Post 10066 in Jensen Beach and house committee chairman of VFW Post 4194 in Stuart.

Mr. Parker was preceded in death by his father, William Odus Parker, his mother, Kathryn (Brown) Parker, and his brother, James William Parker. He leaves behind his treasured wife of 55 years, Karen Kay (Crabbe) Parker, his son, Gaylon William Parker, his daughter, Heather Corren Parker, and five grandchildren: Megan Kathryn Parker, Logan William Parker, Karen Kay Lyvers, Erika Corren Lyvers and Parker Alex Lariscy.

Mr. Parker was born in Benton, Ark. On Oct. 16, 1945 and grew up in the Ohio Valley, where he was an exemplary Jefferson Union High School athlete and a multi-sport letterman in baseball, football, and track and field. A member of the Jensen Beach Optimist Club for many years, Mr. Parker was a baseball coach for dozens of local youths, and he contributed to the Martin County High School track and field team while his children participated in those endeavors.

He will be sorely missed by not only his family, but also lifelong friend Ron Johnston, who was at his side from birth until Mr. Parker’s passing on Jan. 24, 2021, and he leaves behind numerous local Treasure Coast friends of more than 40 years. Mr. Parker was a US Navy veteran – having served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War – and was a journeyman electrician during his working life – having been an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union steward and retiring from Florida Power and Light.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10066, 1805 NE Savannah Road, Jensen Beach, Fla. 34957 or Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian, Stuart, Fla. 34997 would be greatly appreciated.