Source: https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/obituaries/print?o_id=2433892&fh_id=10503

Ray Melton Parker
(November 25, 1940 - February 20, 2014)

Funeral services for Ray Melton Parker will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA with Monsignor Carson LaCaze officiating. Interment will follow at Emmanuel Cemetery in Chopin, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm on February 24, 2014 at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA with a rosary held at 7:00 pm during the visitation.

Ray Parker, 73 years of age, passed away February 20, 2014. Ray was born November 25, 1940 to the late Joe Wilson Parker and Gloria Bynog Parker in Flatwoods, LA. Ray was, without question, a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His family was his life and he would stop whatever he was doing to spend time with them. But second to that, he loved baseball. He was a baseball coach in Natchitoches for many years, affecting the lives of countless young men that had the privilege to play on his team. He was also known for White Ghost Tractor, the dealership he owned and operated for over 35 years in Natchitoches. Ray was a drummer in his family band, knew everyone by name, and was a heck of a baseball coach. Rest easy knowing that he will never miss another event, and definitely wont miss another baseball game. He will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Verline Spillman Parker of Natchitoches, LA; two sons, Randall J. Simmons and wife Berkley of Vilonia AR and Jason Ray Parker and wife Mandy of Natchitoches, LA; three daughters, Jamie Harris and husband Kevin, Carla Howell, and Elizabeth Yopp and husband Jeremy, all of Natchitoches, LA; twelve grandchildren, Brittany, Brandon, and Autumn Simmons, Kevin-Lee, Jeremy, and Ashley Harris, Cody Howell, Jay, Jensen, Adam Parker, and Katelyn and Cole Yopp; one sister, Earline Boudloche and husband Huey of Toledo Bend, LA; one brother, Jesse James Parker and wife Gilda of Natchitoches, LA; and special family friends, Fount and Josh Fortenberry.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Wilson Parker and Gloria Bynog Parker; and five brothers, Horace J. Parker, J.W. Parker, Jr., Lenard Parker, Gene Wilson Parker, and Roy Joe Parker.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Jerry Jones, Danny LaCaze, Justin Aldredge, David Spillman, Craig Simmons, Chris Posey, Scott Godfrey, and Bradley McDonald.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Berry, Fount Fortenberry, Rod Rachal, Kevin Berry, Clark Averett, Michael Godfrey, the Natchitoches Lightning Baseball Team, and the Natchitoches Storm Baseball Team.

The Parker family would like to send a special thank you to Hospice of Natchitoches, Ingram Medical Clinic, and Ingram Cardiology.