Obituary of Virgil W. Parker

Virgil W. Parker, 67, of Coffeyville passed away Friday, May 31, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on June 22, 1951 at Elk City, Oklahoma to Alvin B. and Clara (Honeycutt) Parker. Virgil grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas and South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, where he attended Longfellow Elementary School in Coffeyville and South Coffeyville Grade School. He graduated from Lenapah High School in Lenapah, Oklahoma in 1969. On June 26, 1971 he was united in marriage to Dolores Meza at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Independence, Kansas. Following their marriage they made their home in Coffeyville where they raised their family. As a fisherman, she was the catch of his life. Virgil was a longtime Service Technician for Union Gas and later Atmos Gas until retiring on June 1, 2014. Following his retirement Virgil started VWP Lawn Care in Coffeyville and loved spending hours mowing lawns and commercial property all around the area until turning the business over to his son, Richard three weeks ago. He was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts in Coffeyville and Independence. Virgil was very involved in his children's lives, and the lives of all their friends. He coached softball, baseball, and basketball teams, and ran a taxi service getting them to all their different events especially in the big blue van. He and Dolores were always willing to host pep rallies and bonfires out on their land. He enjoyed firing up the smoker or grill and cooking for family, friends and many events in the community. For many years he hosted a 4th of July barbecue with lots of food, horseshoes and fireworks. Virgil loved to go fishing and taught his children how to bait their hook and cast a line. He loved inviting people to come fish at his pond, and if you didn't have a witness or a picture – you didn't catch it. He was a member of many bowling and slow pitch teams over the years and was legendary as a pitcher. Virgil enjoyed souping up classic cars and he had several over the years. He and his best friend recently finished restoring his '65 Impala. For Thanksgiving last year, his children surprised him by having the interior redone. To relax, he loved hopping on his mover and having a Miller High Life. His greatest joy was being surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Dolores Parker of the home; his children, Deanna (Chad) Vulgamore of Wichita, Vincent Parker of Yukon, Oklahoma, Judibeth Parker of Dearing, James M. Parker of Pittsburg, Rachel (Jordee) Parker-Jordan of Wichita, Richard (Ashley) Parker of Coffeyville, and Michael Parker of Boston, MA; eleven grandchildren, Christopher Pursley, Alex, Jacob and Sara Vulgamore, Parker and Presley Banzet, Aurora Marie Parker Collins, Teagan and Rylan Parker-Jordan, Davien and Demi Jo Parker; his mother, Clara Cullum; sister, Vickie Watson and brother, Billy Parker all of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his father, and one grandson, Reid Ryan Banzet. The Rosary will be recited at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 6, 2019 followed by Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville with Father Dan Lorimer officiating. Following the service there will be a reception for family and friends at Holy Name School Gym. Friends may sign the register book on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to the Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.