Robert Eugene Parker

Mr. Robert Eugene "Bobby" Parker, 72, born July 29, 1933, in Pass Christian, passed away Friday, March 17, 2006, in New Orleans, LA. Bobby is survived by his wife of 46 years, Gayle Koolsbergen Parker, of Pass Christian; three daughters, Angela Parker Yonkin and her husband, Joe, of Wichita, KS, Denise E. Parker of Long Beach and Holly M. Aubin and her husband, Jason, of Mobile, AL. He is also survived by his mother, Helena Fernandez Chambliss of Pass Christian. Bobby was a loving brother to Jesse Gordon Parker, Sr. and his wife, Shannon, of Pass Christian. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Brandon Parker, Joshua Yonkin, Tara Yonkin and Helena Marie Aubin; one uncle, Vearl Parker of Biloxi, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Eugene Parker and a sister, Barbara Ann Parker. A native and lifelong resident of Pass Christian, Bobby was a beloved father, husband and grandfather. He loved to cook gumbo for his family. His many friends were very important to him. He will live on in our hearts forever. Bobby graduated from Pass Christian High School, attended Perkinston Jr. College and graduated from the Mississippi State Highway Patrol School and the National FBI Academy. He served in the U. S. Marine Corps for two years with an honorable discharge. He was employed with the Harrison County Sheriff's Office for five and a half years and retired from the Mississippi Highway Patrol as a patrolman and criminal investigator with twenty six years of service. After retirement he worked in the district attorney's office for Harrison, Hancock and Stone Counties as an investigator for seven years. After his retirement from law enforcement he refinished antique furniture. For many years he loved to fish and hunt with his family and friends. He enjoyed meeting with his friends every morning for coffee and good stories. Mr. Parker was a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Pass Christian where he served on the parish council and was an usher captain. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of his life as a tribute to his memory. A visitation will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church, 140 East Beach Boulevard in Pass Christian on Tuesday, March 21, 2006, from 12 noon until 2 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian. A reception will follow at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Frank Schmidt, 4442 Menge Avenue, Pass Christian. The family ask that donations be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, 140 East Beach Boulevard, Pass Christian, MS 39571, for the rebuilding of the church, or to the American Diabetes Association, 16 Northtown Drive, Suite 100, Jackson, MS 39211. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport, MS is in charge of arrangements.