Obituary of Joseph Parker

Parker, Joseph Byron, 85, died Wednesday, January 30, 2008. Born September 17, 1922 in Van Alstyne, Texas the son of Joe Bailey and Florence (McDonald) Parker. He moved with his family to Okmulgee, OK at the age of 8 graduating from Okmulgee High School in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 serving in World War II as a B-17 Navigator Bombardier in a European Tour. After the war he remained in the Air Force reserves until he was called again to active duty in 1951 during the Korean Conflict. After completing a yearlong tour he returned to Okmulgee. He married Ernestine Cook March 3, 1952 in Van Buren, Arkansas. Together they owned and operated multiple fast food franchise restaurants in Oklahoma. They opened one of Colonel Harland Sander's first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises in Okmulgee later expanding to Henryetta, Seminole and Cushing. They also owned a Dairy Queens in Okmulgee, Henryetta, Stillwater and Seminole. They later opened and owned the Sirloin Stockade in Okmulgee. While living in Okmulgee he was a member of the Optimist Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Okmulgee Pow-Wow and the V.F.W. He enjoyed golf, sports, raising Hereford Cattle on his ranch and traveling in his motor home. After retiring in 1993, he and his wife moved to Tulsa. He was preceded in death by his son, Randall M. Parker; his brother, M.C. Parker and his sister, Arlene Parker. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ernie Parker; his daughter-in-law: Sherry Parker (Mrs. Randy); his granddaughter: Jennifer Suzanne Parker all of Tulsa. A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 2nd at Calvary Cemetery, 9101 S. Harvard in Tulsa. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the charity of one's choice.   Funeral services are under the direction of the Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel, 3841 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK Tele: 918-742-5556.