Dr. John Parker

Dr. John Doyle Parker, 82, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born Aug. 8, 1930, in Parma, Mo., to Thomas Hudson and Lillie Gertrude Singleton Parker.

John honorably served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps.

After using the GI Bill to earn a bachelor's degree, he and Irma Ann taught three years at Herculaneum High School in the late 1950s, and after earning a Ph.D., he taught microbiology to nursing students at the Land of Lincoln Community College in Springfield, Ill., for about 32 years. Among the many hobbies he enjoyed were professionally refinishing furniture and creating stained glass work, producing many fine pieces. He was a member of Cape First Assembly of God Church.

He is survived by his wife, Betty L. McCulley Parker of Cape Girardeau; a son, Dr. John T. (Dr. Terry) Parker of Seattle; two daughters, Gwendolyn L. Dewey of Seattle and Jane Ann (Chris) Walsh of Minneapolis; two students he raised as sons, Fred (Mary) Ross of Macon, Mo., and James (Kathy) Perry of Fort Mill, S.C.; two brothers, Aaron (Pat) Parker of Medford, Ore., and Lenon (Ina Lea) Parker of Bakersfield, Calif.; three sisters, Irene (Bill) Headd of Benton, Mo., Cleta Hillyus and Rita Mae Hodges of Bakersfield; nine grandchildren; 22 nephews; 11 nieces; and 35 first cousins.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Irma Ann Hotop Parker, on Aug. 20, 2006; an infant daughter, Christina Ann; two brothers, Ron and Tom; and two sisters, Lena Ruth and Evelyn.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Gary Brothers officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Parma Cemetery in Parma, Mo.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Teen Challenge, 303 MATC Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, or Cape First, 254 South Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.