Michael Lynn Parker, 66 of Carlisle, Arkansas died on Friday, April 28, 2023 from injuries sustained in a work accident.
Mike was born January 12, 1957 in Little Rock, Arkansas and was a lifelong resident of Carlisle, Arkansas. He is the son of Bernie and Marilyn Parker. Mike was the owner and operator of Parker Tree Service. He started his business with a rope, ladder and a chainsaw when a tornado struck Carlisle several years ago. Mike loved his job and was happiest when he was working. He never met a stranger and would do anything for those he came into contact with.
Mike loved his family, especially his sons and grandchildren, with all his heart. Mike’s classmates from Castle Heights Military School were loved like brothers. Not a day went by that he didn’t talk to at least one of his many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Jenny Parker; three sons, John Parker, Michael C Parker and William Parker; two grandchildren, Jillian Parker and Gavin Parker; two nephews, Bernie Parker and Stephen Parker; one niece, Tiffany Parker and numerous cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bernie and Marilyn Parker; brothers, Steve Parker and Cliff Parker; and nephew, Drew Parker.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas.
Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Hamilton Missionary Baptist Church, 4362 Hamilton Loop Road in Carlisle, Arkansas.
Burial will be in the Hebron Cemetery following the service. Pallbearers will be Bernie Parker Jr, Stephen Parker, Ray Huey, Randall Amaden, Gil Plant and Ray Hardy. Honorary pallbearers include Bill Snyder, Fred Noe, Terry Crout, Vite Hidrogo and Roberto Franceschi.
Contributions in memory of Mike may be made to Hamilton Missionary Baptist Church.
Mike was our mailman when we moved to Little Rock in 2005 and soon became a friend to us as he was to everyone in the neighborhood. We became regular tree service customers over the years and recommended him to everyone needing tree work. I’d often stop and talk to him to see how things were going. He will be sorely missed.
John and Tiffany Lindsey
Mike first delivered mail and then he cared for my trees and he really cared for them. He’d keep an eye on them and let me know when they needed attention. When he noticed something or when I called, his trucks and crew were there, ready to work on the trees and also trim and shape tall shrubs when they were overgrown. And sometimes we’d have a visit on the front porch. I am so sorry to be writing this. I will miss Mike first as a friend and for his trusted tree work. All my thoughts are with his family.
Mike was a good man who always did what he said to me. I will miss him. Our condolences to your family. You are in our prayers.
Mike was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. I was thrilled to reconnect with him in Tennessee after my father Nick Dietzen passed away in Manchester, TN. Mike was so proud of his family heritage and he taught me so much about our family roots.
Mike was also like a brother to me and I am sure many, many others. He was not judgmental and loved everyone in spite of and especially because of their imperfections. He loved everyone unconditionally.
I am so sad to see him go and I will miss him so much. My deepest condolescences to Jenny and his sons and entire family. I had hoped to be there today and tomorrow but it is just not possible due to a recent eye surgery.
The light at the end of the rainbow is that he left this world doing what he loved and he is in a special place in heaven. I know he is reunited with his family in heavan. I love you buddie. I will miss you! Louise
JOHN, MICHAEL AND WILL, I’M SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR DAD. YOUR DAD AND I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. HE WAS ALWAYS SO KIND AND RESPECTFUL WITH THAT SPECIAL SMILE. I TRUST THAT YOU WILL LEAN ON GOD DURING THIS LOSS. WE KNOW THAT’S WHAT HE WOULD WANT FOR YOU, GOD CAN REACH AND TOUCH BEYOND THE HUMAN ABILITY. YOUR FRIENDS CARE AND WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU, WE LOVE YOU AS WE LOVED YOUR DAD.
GOD BLESS, CHERYL MCCARTHY
Cannell Dillard
Mike was like a member of our family . All of our girls were greatly saddened to learn of his passing. They knew what a dear person he was and how hard he worked throughout the years for us. We remember his days working at Starbucks in the morning and cutting trees in the afternoon .and of course, when he delivered the mail. Around our house, we called him “the mailman”. He was the type of person you knew who would drop everything to come help you if you had an emergency. I remember the adorable baby bulldogs he bought for his family and the way his mother would sit out in the car while she he was working so he could keep an eye on her. We watched John, Michael, and Will growing up and today as the strong and able helpers their father was lucky to have help him in his business. We hope that you boys will use your faith to give you the strength to continue in the direction that your father worked so hard for you to do. I also remember how Mike would turn up with real mistletoe at Christmastime. We loved seeing Mike so happy with Jenny and hearing about their trips to ski and to the beach. She was such a blessing to him.
Mike was one of those people who have to have been handpicked by God to come be by his side in heaven because he was such a good soul. He touched so many people who now grieve his loss . He will be loved and remembered forever .
Alex, Cannell, Annemarie, Alexandra, and Michelle Dillard
I went to High School at Castle Heights Military Academy in Tennessee with Mike, we graduated 47 years ago. We ran Cross country, we were on the Soccer Team and track team, and as classmates at a smaller size school, we had many classes together. We became really good friends at Castle Heights. But after graduation, as is usual we all headed in many directions and I lost track of many of our classmates, but not Mike. Over the many years since High School several times a year, unplanned, my phone would ring, and it would be Mike just saying hi. That is so rare and so special. We talked for many years about making a trip to Panama to visit our High School classmates from Panama. Mike did this trip many times. Finally this year I joined him and Jenny on a trip to Panama. It was a very special time and I’m so appreciative Mike stayed on me over the years to not just talk about it, but to really join him on a Panama trip. I have many friends, good friends. But I have to say Mike is one of those very special people that among friends (and even strangers) that truly would actually do anything for you. Goodspeed Mike and we’ll cross paths again soon!
Prayers for Jenny and family.
Dear Mike’s Family and Friends: Oh my! Imagine my surprise when I read that Mike had passed!! I am asking The Holy Spirit to pour His peace and contentment, comfort and joy, down over you all, like warm honey. Mike was a good, hard working, family loving, friend. Thank you all, for sharing him with me/us. Blessings. Libbie Dougan
Mike trained me as a mailman. He loved his customers. Hardest working man I’ve ever met. He told me, if I got cold just walk faster! He loved his family and always talked about them. He was a good man and will be missed.
Keep my name out your mouth
Dear Jenny Parker and Family – Mike took down a big oak tree from our back yard in March of 2021. I was so impressed with his work ethic, fairness to price and what a true salt of the earth person he was. I recently lost my husband unexpectedly in a car wreck and Jenny I am so sorry for your loss. My late husband and I thought very highly of Mike even though we knew him briefly for taking care of our tree that unfortunately had to be taken down due to disease. Mike left such a good impression on me that I wanted to reach out and let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you. As I search for meaning in life lately I heard a quote: “Individuals are fictional. We are so intertwined with one another and all living things.” – Miroslav Volf. I feel this is so true. My heart hurts for you and your family.
Mike will be sorely missed. What a generous soul and gentle man. We enjoyed talking with him just as much as we appreciated his expertise with our trees. We will keep you all in our prayers as we get used to a world without him, and we will think of him often when the wind blows through our forest.
Dear Jenny and family,
I had the blessing of being introduced to Mike several years ago by my neighbors. Mike was their mailman years ago. He did their tree work, I spoke with him and have had a wonderful friendship for the past 10 years. He was the most genuine, Godly and honest person.
I am just learning of this and so wish I could of been at services to meet you all. We have been blessed by having him in our earthly life. Know we will all enjoy times again.
Praying for you all. I am so sorry!
Jenny, we were so sad to hear about Mike. He made us laugh so many times when discussing politics. He was larger than life and we will never forget our friendship with him. We have you and the family in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss him so much. Dan and Christi Arthur
To the family of Mike. I am so saddened about your loss. Mike and son has worked for me several times and I was really taken to them for their friendship,kindness and wanting to please me. Will be praying for all of you. He will be missed greatly!! God Bless🙏🙏
Mike took care of our family for many years. We thought the world of him and he will be truly missed. He was a good, good, good man!
Ron and Mary Katharyn Hope
I am so sorry.
Fergus
Mike was my Friend at Castle Heights. Such a sad Loss. I’m so sorry for his wife and family..
We first met Mike when he was our mailman. Then he became our “tree man” as well as a friend. He didn’t cut the trees just any old way. He and his sons did very good work for us. He studied the shape of the trees then gave them a “haircut”. We are so sorry to hear about his death and will miss him. Prayers for his family.
I am greatly saddened to learn of the loss of our friend, Mike. There is a bond that defies explanation among any who attended Castle Heights Military Academy. No one exemplified that feeling more than Mike who always was ready with a smile and handshake. It is absolutely true that he was quick to reach out and call. Quite often, the call I would get would be somehow related to Duane Allman or the Allman Brothers Band, subjects we never tired of discussing. Rest in peace, my CHMA brother. You WILL be missed.
So sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. Although Mike was a few years older than me, we were just a couple of farm kids on the same floor in school with a love of music. His kindness and guidance meant volumes to a wet behind the ears Yankee. Good guy gone too soon.