Paul Godwin Parker, Jr

Paul Godwin Parker, Jr., peacefully passed away at the age of 96 after a short illness at Vidant Hospital in Tarboro, NC, on Thursday, November 7, 2019. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Gerry Elrod Parker, and by his daughter Reva Dale Parker.  Paul is survived by three sons, Paul G. Parker, III, of Marietta, GA, Henry Wendt Parker of Blacksburg, VA, and David Lee Parker (James Olson) of Charleston, SC, as well as by seven grandchildren and one great grandson.

Paul was born January 30, 1923 in Jackson, NC, and was raised in Erwin, NC.  He has been a resident of Tarboro, NC, for 49 years and was an active member of Calvary Episcopal Church.  Paul graduated from North Carolina State University in 1948 after serving as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps during the Second World War, from 1943 to 1945.  In 1953 he met and married the love of his life, Gerry Lee Elrod. 

Paul had a passion for building things and for discovering how things worked; he always had a project going on.  He successfully restored several antique vehicles, built many small watercraft and sailboats and always found peace working in his shop.  Paul also had a fascination with airplanes and air flight from an early age.  He purchased his first private aircraft in the 1960’s and spent many Sunday afternoons flying on his own as well as with his family.  He also built a replica airplane and flew it often.

Paul was a loving husband and father and a very gentle, quiet man who was also very strong in his faith and character.  He will be sorely missed by all that knew him.

Services will be held graveside on Monday November 11, 2019 at 2:00 PM at Montlawn Memorial Park, located at 2911 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC.  The family will receive guests on Monday between the hours of at 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM at Carlisle Funeral Home, located at 701 Hospital Drive, Tarboro, NC, preceding the graveside service.

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