Joseph Braxton Parker passed away unexpectedly December 7, 2022 surrounded by family. Known to his friends as Joe, he was born on July 6, 1952 along with twin brother James Anderson Parker in Wichita Falls. At the age of ten, after his mother’s passing he was moved to the Waxahachie Presbyterian Children’s Home, along with his brother. It was there that he met Colleen, who would later become his wife. He was so grateful for what the children’s home gave him, which was stability and a second family. During his high school years, he was a football powerhouse and would always reminds us of his most valuable player award. In 1970, his senior year, he received a full scholarship to Rice University for football and later went on to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in 1974. He later went on to be a very successful business owner not only in the restoration business but also the self storage business. He was an active member on the Presbyterian Children’s Home Board for ten years.
He married his wife Colleen on July 26, 1980. They were married 42 years and had three children together.
Friends and family would have described him as loving, honest, family oriented, courageous, friendly, stubborn, compassionate, protective and had a wicked sense of humor. Some of his best memories were teaching his kids to fish and being on his pontoon boat every weekend, playing darts with his best pals, and feeding carrots to the animals next door with his grandkids who affectionately called him “Papa”. You would most likely find him on his golf cart in the afternoon, in his back yard by the creek, except during football season. Football was like a religion to him, especially college ball. He also loved watching his family play and has been known to drive hours to watch a game. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother Peggy Jeter, twin brother James Anderson Parker, and father figure Al Travis.
He is survived by wife Colleen Parker; daughter Amy Jane and husband Dean Howard; sons James Anderson and wife Tracy Parker and Travis Rex Parker; grandchildren Parker Bayro, Vivian Howrd, Lincoln Parker and Elizabeth Parker; brothers Johnson and wife Rhea Smith and Jerry “Zeb” and wife Gracie Smith; cousins Sam and wife Malta Akins and Lance Griggs; sister in law Patricia Munday; good friend Bobby Sherman and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Saturday December 17, 2022 from 10:00am until 11:00am at Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home Chapel, in Waxahachie, Texas. Services will follow that day at 11:00am.