Jackson Parker

Jackson Ormand "Ace" Parker, 86, of Bessemer City, passed away on January 27, 2014 at Caromont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia. He was born December 24, 1927 in Gaston County, NC, to the late Jack A. and Edith Ormand Parker.

Jackson was a graduate of Erskine College where he was a three-sport star. He
then received his master's degree in supervision and administration at Appalachian State University. He served Bessemer City students for 34 years, first as a teacher and coach of three sports at Bessemer City High School (where the gymnasium was named in his honor) and then as principal of Bessemer City Junior High. Jackson was named to the Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He served his country in the United States Navy.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sylvia Carroll Dellinger-Parker; children, Robert Todd Parker and wife Cathy of Bessemer City, Kimberly M. Lee and husband Bill of Charleston, SC, James P. Miller, Jr. of Manteo, NC, V. Ruth Miller of Charleston, SC, and Caroline M. Escobar of Asheville, NC; grandchildren, Brandon Parker, Sean Miller, Savannah Miller, Nina Escobar, Alex Escobar, William Lee, Sylvia Lee.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jean Hook Parker, and his sister, Mary Alice Parker Rhyne.

His funeral services will be held at the chapel of Sisk-Butler Funeral & Cremation Services at 2:00 PM on Friday with Rev. Jerry Millwood and Rev. Dick Whitener officiating.
Interment will follow at Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery with military rites by Bessemer City American Legion Post 243 Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday at Sisk-Butler Funeral & Cremation Services.

Memorials may be made to Bessemer City High School, 119 Yellow Jacket Lane, Bessemer City, NC 28016 for the Athletic Fund.