Born on February 23, 1946, John Howard Parker passed to his eternal rest on April 29, 2024.
In January, 1977, John married Dr. Jill Roberson Parker, by whom he is survived, along with their son Dr. Robert Parker (Bria) and grandsons Ian and Joel Parker of Severn, MD; and by daughter Sharon Parker Duncan (Greg) of Nashville, TN.
John earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in English in 1969 and 1978. Thereafter followed a career as Professor of English for 44 years, first at Freed-Hardeman University, and then at Lipscomb University, teaching Shakespeare, British and American Literature, and English composition and grammar. Completing an M.A. in Religion from Harding Graduate School of Religion in 1981, John taught Bible at Lipscomb and preached in West and Middle Tennessee, serving as an interim minister for Churches of Christ for over 20 years.
Foremost among John’s writings were Bound and Loosed, Fundamentals of the Christian System, 2003, translated into Russian, Greek, Bulgarian and Albanian; and Abide with Me: A Photographic Journey through Great British Hymns, 2010, co-authored with Paul Seawright; and The Gospel According to Shakespeare: 40 Inspiring Devotionals from the Bible and the Bard, 2023, co-authored with F. LaGard Smith.
John and Jill enjoyed traveling in Europe and Britain, especially in Lipscomb’s Study Abroad programs in 2001 and 2004. They spent many happy times at their rural farm in Hickman County from 1999-2020, where the sport of shooting and enjoying an antique log home allowed them to entertain many church groups and family friends.
John served as an elder for some 18 years at the (formerly) Granny White Church of Christ, directing and advising the missions program and visiting foreign churches and missionaries.
A visitation will be hosted at The Church of Christ in Green Hills, 3805 Granny White Pike in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 4, from 9:30-11 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am, with F. LaGard Smith officiating. Pallbearers: Dr. Robert Parker; Gregory Duncan; Josh, Parker and Dawson Bowling; Norman Fox; Dr. Matt Hearn and Steve Smith. Honorary Pallbearers: Elders of The Church of Christ in Green Hills. https://www.woodbinefuneralhome.com
The family especially commends Brookdale Green Hills Cumberland for John’s care and thankfully recognizes superior care by Diane Adamski, Nathan Tidwell and Emillie Vasquez.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to: Lipscomb University, Emmett H. Roberson Permanent Endowment Fund; Freed-Hardeman University, Heritage Fund; the Church of Christ in Green Hills, Missions; or Nashville Inner City Ministry.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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