Forest Gene Parker, a lifelong North Carolinian, passed away on Sunday, August 11 surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Parker is the son of Jacob Franklin Parker Sr. and Lucy Elizabeth Brooks Parker. Preceding him in death are his son Forest Gene Parker II, siblings Fred Milton Parker, Durwood Lee Paker, Margaret Louise Farrior, Mildred Alene Schineller, Mary Frances Nitschke, Jacob Franklin Parker Jr., Ernestine Mae Hoffmann, Ruth Gray Parker, Joseph Charles Parker, Jenieva Dee Albrycht, and Judy Brooks Parker.

Mr. Parker is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Parker, daughters Carolyn Carr (Bill) and Amy Boyette (Mike); grandchildren Brice Carr (Courtney), Gibson Carr (Misty), Tyler Parker and Blake Boyette; Great Grandchildren Hunter Carr, Sloan Carr, Reese Carr and Mila Carr; his siblings Ruby Parker-Merritt of Sumter (SC) and Roger Parker of Rose Hill (NC) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Gene resided in Rose Hill all of his life, growing up on a family farm where everyone learned to pitch in and pull their own weight. Sometime after marrying the love of his life, Elizabeth ("Liz"), Gene found his true calling as a first-class lineman. He performed his job exceptionally for 42 years, with some coworkers citing him as the strongest man they'd ever worked alongside.

Although his work is certainly a pivotal part of his story, there was much more to Gene. For one, he was a devout outdoorsman who loved to immerse himself in nature whenever possible. He liked to fish and loved to hunt, but he also didn't mind simply basking in the picturesque scenery that gave life to his beloved property (from the herds of white tails to the flocks of turkeys that roamed the fields alongside his home).

If Gene wasn't outside then you could almost certainly catch him enjoying a western of some kind, which was far and away his favorite genre. Whether it was a random re-run of Gunsmoke or one of his many John Wayne DVDs, Gene could tell you just about every detail of a movie (right down to what a character would be about to say onscreen). In addition to his impressive selection of movies that he was extremely proud of, Gene also collected guns, knives, watches, Ford cars, audiobooks, picture books, and of course the trophies from his hunts.

Above all else, Gene enjoyed "making memories" with his family, whether that was here in Rose Hill or in Winston-Salem and living his life in service of the Lord.

There will be a visitation Thursday, August 15 at 1:00 pm and a 2:00 pm service at Rose Hill Baptist Church.