Thomas Woodrow Parker

Thomas Woodrow "Woody" Parker passed away peacefully on the morning of July 6, 2018 in Georgetown, Texas. Woody was born in Plumerville, Ark. on August, 12, 1919, the second youngest of sixteen children of Lennie and Robert Parker. He is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and nine sisters and former wife, Nell Parker. He is survived by a daughter, Jan Keith (Bill) of Little Rock, AR and son, Paul Parker (Mary Kay) of Georgetown, Texas. Also five grandchildren, Clay Keith, Bryan Keith, Niya Keith, Meredith Sauter and Laura Parker and seven great-grandchildren. He graduated from Plumerville High School in 1938. Woody enlisted in the military in January 1942, where he served in the Papuan and New Guinea Campaigns, earning two Bronze Stars. He was honorably discharged from the Army in December 1944, and married Ruby Nell Brown while attending the University of Arkansas. After graduating from the University in 1950 with a degree in Business Administration they moved to Little Rock where he held several jobs before starting his own real estate company, Woody Parker Realty. He specialized in neighborhood development and real estate appraisals even into his 80's. Woody was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock for over 60 years where he taught Sunday school to teenage boys and spent many a day fishing with Dr. Vaught. On October 20, 2012, Woody and Paul flew to Washington, D.C. participating in the Honor Flight Program. During his trip he shared for the first time with Paul his harrowing experiences from the war. For 30 minutes captured on video, he recounted the experiences that demonstrated the bravery of these young men and the horrors they witnessed. His truly is the greatest generation. We are proud to know he fought bravely for the freedoms we share today. For most of the past 40 years Woody lived in his cabin on Parker Lake where he was surrounded by friends and was known to help total strangers. To be near his son Paul, Woody moved to Autumn Leaves Memory Care Center in Georgetown, Texas. He was very happy there and loved by all. We are eternally grateful to the staff at Autumn Leaves for making his last 18 months some of his happiest. A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church, Wednesday, July 11th at 2 p.m. He will be buried in Plumerville with his family. Visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 1 p.m. Pallbearers for Mr. Parker's services will be, Paul Parker, Bill Keith, Bryan Keith and Clay Keith. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Woody's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.