Howard R. Parker Sr., 88, passed away on May 5, 2026, at Delta South Nursing Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

He was born on October 2, 1937, in LaPorte, Indiana, to the late Owen Parker and Caroline Spier Whitebirch.

On January 12, 1980, he married Jeanette Mullins in Sikeston, Missouri. She preceded him in death in 2021.

Howard proudly served his country as a veteran of the United States Army. He graduated from Elmhurst College in 1960 with a bachelor's degree and later earned a master's degree in educational administration in Puerto Rico.

He spent six and a half years teaching school in Puerto Rico, where he also worked for Equitable Life and SC Johnson. Upon returning to Sikeston, he dedicated 29 years to Sikeston Public Schools, serving as Director of Education and Literature and teaching English as a Second Language.

Howard was a member of Tanner Street Church of God, where he served as Director of Senior Ministries. He was also a past member of the Optimist Club and was actively involved in state, district, and national education organizations, serving in various leadership roles.

In addition to his work in education, Howard was deeply involved in athletics and community activities. He served as a referee and umpire for baseball, coached the Special Olympics basketball team for six years, and provided play-by-play commentary for high school basketball on KMPL radio. His dedication to education and community service earned him recognition in "Who's Who in Education," and he was inducted into the Sikeston Wall of Fame in 2014.

He is survived by three sons, Carlos (Tamar Botvinnikov) Parker, Howard (Michelle) Parker Jr., and Robert (Karie) Mullins; three daughters, Diana (Victor) Paqan, Pamela Cassidy, and Valerie (Doug) Paris; one son-in-law, Carlos Toro; one brother, Jerry (Pat) Parker; four sisters, Lois Rejak, Carol Jo (Scott) Snyder, Cheri Parker, and Denise Fouza; 22 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Parker; his parents; one daughter, Vanessa Toro; two sisters, Elaine Burkhart and Barbara Macalka; and one brother-in-law, Bob Burkhart.

Services will be held on Monday, May 11, at Ponder Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, at 1:00 p.m., with full military honors.