R Jerome Parker

Jerome Parker, 87, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2017 in Pamlico County, NC.

He was born in Erwin, NC, to Grace Jerome Parker and Dr. Paul Gray Parker.

He is survived by his wife, Anne; brother, Paul; and sister, Marian; son, Bob and his wife, Linda; daughter, Jamie and her husband, Paul, and son, Paul and his wife Andrea; and grandchildren Devin, Mike, Emma, Claire, and Lily. He is also survived by “step-grands” whom he loved dearly, Brian and Bradley and their families, along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and his first wife Barbara.

His parents and sister, Betty Gray, predeceased him.

His was a life well-lived: In the tradition of the Jerome family, whom his father called the “Go-Roams,” Jerome was always game to travel and try all kinds of food and hobbies. As a teen, he and his older brother, Paul, navigated the inland waterway in a small skiff using an Esso road map, not knowing on which side of the markers to travel. Jerome got out and pushed a lot.

He was a career engineer, always interested in finding a better way. He won Burlington Western Electric’s “Engineer of the Year” award for creating better packaging for submarine-towed microphones. (Think “Hunt for Red October.”) But as much as he loved work, he loved Oriental and the riverside life more. After taking early retirement, he built his dream workshop, then converted a four room cabin into a four bedroom home, doing much of the work himself. The workshop was, of course, first. He built boats, model airplanes, fixed anything, and helped everyone. He loved to laugh, loved his friends, family--and of course his dogs-- all of whom will miss him.

In recent years, Jerome suffered from dementia. During the early stages, caregivers Juliana, Mary, Amanda, Laura, and Gail made sure he was always engaged, challenged, and enjoying life. In his last few weeks, the staff at Grantsbrook, along with caregivers from Accommodating Home Care, made sure he was loved and cared for at all hours. The family is especially grateful to Abigail, Barbara, Sharon, and Tonya who loved and cared for him during his final few days. We are glad he finally has the peace he so deserves.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Hope Clinic, www.hopeclinicnc.org, or the charity of your choice. There will be a family burial in Raleigh and a celebration of his life in Oriental in mid-April.