Bobby Parke
Bobby Parker, the owner of Parker's Automotive and Gasoline Station on Brainerd Road, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024 at Memorial Hospital.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Nov. 2, 1952, he was a 1971 graduate of Brainerd High School and has been married to Lee Ann Tate Parker for 42 wonderful years.
Bobby came from a family of service station owners and began working from a very early age with his grandfather, Harry T. Wilhoit. Bobby took over the station upon his grandfather's death in 1973. This year, 2024, marks the 90th year the station has been in his family. As many people in the community know, the service station was Bobby's life and he absolutely loved his customers who he considered part of his family. During the last three years of cancer treatment, his customers are what have kept him determined to continue working every day.
As a young man, Bobby was a member of Central Baptist Church in Woodmore where the Reverend Fate Thomas made a positive impact on his life.
He was a past president and 32 year member of Hamilton Place Rotary Club.
Bobby was blessed to have an incredible team working with him at the station. Billy, Wayne, Larry, Mike, Thomas, Ryan and Colin have been an amazing support to him. Bobby loved each of them and was so thankful for their love, friendship, and hard work in making Parker's the place it is.
Since Bobby's favorite words were "Let's eat out!", he and Lee Ann were very regular customers at the Epicurean Restaurant in East Ridge where he had a wonderful group of friends who he looked forward to seeing every day.
To all of Bobby's friends of a lifetime, you were all so special to him.
Bobby greatly appreciated his amazing team of physicians: Dr. Nathan Warren, Dr. Edward Arrowsmith, Dr. Eric Ellis, Dr. Todd Fowler, Dr. Tareck Kadrie, and Dr. Ben Geddes. Bobby's family would also like to thank Memorial MICU, especially nurses Bryce and Crystal, for providing the best and most compassionate care to Bobby as well as his family.
He is survived by his wife, Lee Ann, and his sister, Leacia Newell, nieces and nephews, Amy (Colin) Pyle, Alan (Amanda) Newell, Thomas (Debbee) Parker, Ryan Parker, Andy Goodrich, and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews as well as a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins who he loved so much. He is predeceased by his parents, B. Frank Parker and Faye Lou Parker and his brother Billy Parker.
Although Bobby will be greatly missed and there is a huge hole in our hearts, his prayers were answered and God took him home quickly, and with that beautiful smile he always had on his face.
Arrangements will be announced at a later date for a celebration of Bobby's life.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to Hamilton Place Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, Chambliss Center for Children or a charity of your choice.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com
Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd., East Ridge, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Bobby Parker