D.C. Parker died Friday, March 6, 2009, at River Region Medical Center. He was 59.

Born in Vicksburg, he was the son of the late Carroll Elliott “Bubba” Parker and Iris Donald Staples Parker.

D.C. was a 1967 graduate of H.V. Cooper High School and attended Hinds Junior College. He volunteered with the U. S. Navy and served in Naval Support Activity at Da Nang in central Vietnam, receiving multiple decorations including a Bronze Star for heroic service and achievement. As a young man, D.C. was associated with Michael’s Jewelers starting in 1973 and had owned D.C. Parker Jewelers since 1977.

He was a Master Mason with the W. H. Stevens Masonic Lodge No. 0121, a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club and the Salvation Army Board of Directors.

Since 1971 he had been a coach with the Vicksburg Baseball Association with 20 years of service and continued in later years to sponsor local teams.  He was a member of Bowmar Baptist Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Janice Barnett Parker; three sons, Shane Parker and his wife, Lori, Michael J. Parker and his wife, Angela, and Donald “Bubba” Parker, all of Vicksburg; 10 grandchildren, Dillon, Devin, Ally, Karlee, Kendall, Lacey, Gabriella, Dalen, Branson and Jiliana; and his extended family, Bonny Parker, Angel Heggins and Tom Pace.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Bowmar Baptist Church with the Rev. Terry White, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 until 5 this afternoon at Riles Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until the service Monday at Bowmar Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 530 Mission 66, Vicksburg, MS 39183 or to favorite charities.

Pallbearers will be Gene Parker, Warren Guider, Ricky Israel, Bill Monsour, Gene Buglewicz, Bill Harris, David Holloway and Charles Toney.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Ron Anderson, Buddy Reeves, Sheriff Martin Pace, Paul Barrett, Jerry Lake, James E. “Brother” Blackburn and all current and past employees of D.C. Jewelers.