Extracted from The News-Star (Monroe, LA)
Tuesday, October 5, 2004

PARKER WIGGINS

Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Rd. Monroe, LA

Parker Wiggins, age 87, retired independent insurance agent and community volunteer died at home on October 3, 2004 following a valiant battle with cancer.

Parker was born on October 15, 1916, in Winnsboro to the late Abner Horace and Effie Shipman Wiggins. He graduated from Waterproof High School and attended Louisiana State Normal College (now Northwestern State University) on an athletic scholarship where he lettered in baseball, track and was honored as an All American for his prowess on the football field. Parker graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Northwestern and joined the U.S. Army Air Corp. He attended Officer Candidate School and was stationed at Craig Field in Selma, Alabama. He attained the rank of Captain and was decorated for his service in World War II in the China Burma Theater.

After his military service, Mr. Wiggins entered the insurance field in New Orleans which led him to Ruston and finally to Monroe in 1964 where he joined Ned Leigh and formed Leigh and Wiggins Insurance Agency.

Parker was active in many community groups through the years. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church where he served as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and as an usher.

He was a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Monroe. He served as President of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association for many years and on the NSU Board of Directors from 1972-1998. In 1971 he was inducted into the NSU Graduate N Club Athletic Hall of Fame.

Parker was a volunteer for the Northeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross. He served as Disaster Coordinator and taught classes in CPR, swimming and First Aid. He was recognized as a special friend of the Northeast Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Parker was a founding member of the Twin Cities Seniors Bass Club and served as its President.

Mr. Wiggins was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. He also was a member of the American Legion.

Parker is survived by his wife, Cecile, his daughter and her husband, Patty and Kenny Hrapmann; his son and his wife, Randy and Ginger Wiggins; his son Paul Ziesel, and his two grandchildren, Josh and Jonah Borskey. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Gordon, Bill, and Carlisle and his first wife, Leila Mae (Lou) Dupree.

Funeral services for Parker Wiggins will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe. The Reverend Gregg Riley will officiate. Private burial will be at Memorial Park. Relatives and friends are welcome at Kilbourne Hall at Grace Church on Tuesday from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM and on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the hour of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial funds have been been established at the Northwestern State University Alumni Foundation at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 71497, at the Northeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross, 414 Breard Street, Monroe, LA 71201, and at Grace Episcopal Church, Glenmar St., Monroe, LA 71201.

We would like to thank hospice, health care professionals, family, friends, and especially Dr. Michael Sampognaro for their help and support.