Charles Chip Edward Parker Jr.

Charles (Chip) Edward Parker Jr. was born on April 26,1959 in Rolla, MO to Charles (Bill) Edward Sr. and Grace Lorene Gan Parker. He was born 12 weeks premature and weighed less than 2 pounds at birth. From the second he was born, he was strong. Chip went home to be with Jesus on November 12, 2020. 

Chip accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age. He was a follower of Christ for the remainder of his life, leading his family with faith and love. He graduated from Crocker High School in 1977, and obtained a Bachelors of Education in Industrial Arts in 1980 from Central Missouri State University. He was a teacher and coach for St. James Schools for several years and obtained a Master’s Degree from Drury University in 1988. He met the love of his life, Sandy Bowman, in 1985 and they were married on June 21,1986. Together they had four children: Amanda Rachelle, Ryan Andrew, Emily Deanne and Troy Edward Parker. 

In 1990, Chip began teaching and coaching for Rolla Junior High, and later taught at Rolla Technical Institute for the remainder of his 30 year teaching career. He retired from the public school system in 2010, but continued teaching classes for Doe Run Mining Company until his passing. 

Chip loved woodworking, sports, learning new skills, finding (or getting) a good deal on anything, and spending time with his three cherished grandsons. Throughout the course of his life, he never stopped learning new things and teaching other people. Anyone who met him would tell you he was funny, always telling jokes to those he’d meet. He never knew a stranger and could have a conversation with just about anyone, even if he didn’t know your name; whether he knew you for 10 years or 10 minutes, he wanted to make you laugh. He would probably even buy you a soda or an ice cream just because.

He is survived by his parents of Springfield, MO; wife of 34 years, Sandy, of the home; daughter Amanda of St. Louis, MO; son Ryan, his wife Melanie and grandsons Wesley Edward, Evan Andrew, and Dale Ryan Parker of Marshfield, MO; daughter Emily of Springfield, MO; parents in-law Dean and Hazel Bowman of Lebanon, MO; sister Susan Wheeler and husband Rick of Derby, KS; brother-in-law Stanley Bowman and wife Carol of Lebanon, MO; sister-in-law Geretta Wolken and husband Terry of Phillipsburg, MO; sister-in-law Jacquie Tennison and husband David of Lebanon, MO; sister-in-law Alison Reed and husband Kevin of Houston, MO, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his son, Troy Edward Parker; his younger brother, Gary Dale Parker; paternal grandparents, Henry & Rita Parker and maternal grandparents Albert M. & Mary Wilma Gan; and brother-in-law Kelly Poynter. 

Graveside Funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday November 15, 2020 at the Dixon Cemetery at Dixon, MO. Rick Wheeler will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be David Tennison, Kyle Tennison, Patrick Wheeler, Kevin Reed, Stanley Bowman and Stanley Runyon. Honorary Pallbearer will be Terry Wolken. Memorial may be given to Spirit FM Radio Station P.O. Box 800 Camdenton, MO 65020, or dropped off at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

Online condolences may be shared at www.jonesfunerals.com

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO

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