Bobby Joe Parker passed peacefully from this life the morning of January 6 after a gradual decline in health. He was 80. Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Bob managed his illness with strength and grace and wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible.

Son of the late L.J. and Nettie (Hawkins) Parker, Bob was born May 3, 1941 in Houston, Texas. Bob grew up in Bordersville, a small community that was established in 1927 by freed slaves long after the Civil War. His grandparents, L.B. and Mattie (Siegler) Hawkins, moved to Bordersville from Timpson, Texas after L.B. was honorably discharged in 1919 serving in World War I with Company D, 317 Ammunition Train, 92 Infantry Division (Buffalo Soldiers).

Bob accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age with Mount Corinth United Methodist Church in Bordersville, Texas. Bob would serve in the youth choir until he left for college.

Bob attended Bordersville Elementary School and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1960. He would then further his education and attend Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.

Bob’s lifelong love of sports began at an early age. He grew up playing baseball with his family and friends and liked listening to the game on the radio. His love for the game took on a new meaning when Jackie Robinson broke the baseball color line in 1947, becoming the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. Bob would forever cheer for the Dodgers until his death.

Bob was united in holy matrimony to Audrey Caldwell on February 29, 1964 in San Francisco, California. In 1968, they would move to San Jose, where they would raise their 4 children. The union was blessed with one son Kenneth and three daughters Treva, Greta and LaToya.

Bob spent most of his professional career as a die setter at Bell Industries in Mountain View, California until his retirement.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents L.J. and Nettie Parker and his brother Edward Donald Creswell. He is survived by his son, Kenneth Parker (Michelle) of Fairfield, California; daughters Treva Burgess (Carl) of Mansfield, Texas; Greta McIntyre (Michael) of Arlington, Texas; LaToya Parker of Oakland, California; sister, Shirley Donahue of Los Gatos, California; brother Billy Parker (Michele) of San Jose, California; brother Leonard Parker (Gloria) of Humble, Texas; grandchildren Karlissa, Kelvin, Jasmine, Altovese, Kamera, Kenneth Jr, Kennedy, Khalil, Elijah, Eryka, Noah, Bakari, Amare, Lauren, Zoe and Olivia; great grandchildren Jeremiah, Quintez, Deondre, Aubree, Kyrie, Peyton, Parker and Everly; and a host of relatives and friends.

God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be,
So he put his arms around you
And whispered come to me.