John Michael Parker

John Michael Parker, 74, was blessed with God's eternal peace on Monday, July 7, 2025, with his devoted sister and dedicated caregiver, Carol, by his side. John, who was known as Mike to everyone growing up, before entering the service, was Carol's first friend in life, being more like twins than born four years apart. He will always be looked upon as a hero to her. John was born Sept.12th, 1950 in Barberton, Ohio, to his parents, Homer and Edris (Trautwein) Parker. He was a 1969 graduate of Barberton High School. During school, he worked at the Acme in the Barberton shopping center and Tonyo's Pizza to save up for his first car which was a '64 Chevelle. John would drive Carol to U.L. Light Jr. High on his way to classes at the high school, local friends could catch a ride too. He began college at Akron University for Psychology and business, but left his studies to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps on March 26th, 1970. After basic training at Camp Lejeune in N. Carolina, John was stationed at El Toro MCAS in Tustin, California and trained as an aircraft mechanic on KC130F Airplanes, in the 3rd Marine Air Wing, MAG37VMGR 352.His service included aerial refueling over Viet Nam during Operation Easter. He earned the rank of Sgt. (E5). John had planned to make the Marines a career but had to take an honorable medical discharge after a near fatal car accident. He received rehabilitation, after spinal surgery, on the hospital ship Repose, in Long Beach, California. It was on the Repose where John was visited by a National Service Officer (NSO) from the Disabled American Veterans. This fateful encounter proved to be the beginning of a new purpose driven life of service with a career spanning 37 years. He began vocational rehab and NSO training at the DAV National Service Office in Los Angeles, California. Duty assignments included, VA Regional Offices (VARO) West Los Angeles, Ca. 8/74-9/76; VARO San Francisco, Ca. 10/76-6/92; VARO Oakland, Ca .6/92-10/2001; worked for the California Dept. of Veterans Affairs 10/2001-10/2004 as a Veterans Representative; VARO Oakland 10/2004-12/2008; VARO Cleveland 12/2008-3/2011. John had dual lifetime DAV memberships in California and Ohio and also joined the DAV Auxiliary in Ohio. He was Past Cmdr. of Mt. Diablo Chapter 154 in Pittsburg, California and Summit County Ch.35 in Akron, Ohio. He served as Dept. of Ohio Cmdr. for 2017-2018.term. While being interviewed for the Dept. Cmdr. position, John was asked by a nominating committee member if he would quit doing service work during his term. John replied with great conviction, "I may modify my work load, but I will be a Service Officer until the day that I die." Although retiring due to health issues, John stayed accredited and would still meet with Veterans and their surviving spouses at the local McDonalds or Diner for claims work to get their benefits. If they couldn't come to him, he would go to them, often having Carol tag along to help drive or talk with the spouse during his interview. John started with the VA before computers or cell phones, so he learned to "read, absorb and apply "the Federal Veterans Laws, Rules, and Regulations, and often amazed colleagues with his capacity to memorize them and quote them back to his associates to help facilitate a claim with the sage advice to ensue of, "do it right, once" It was not uncommon for John to start an interview at one of his hospital stays to the Veteran in the bed next to him, or strike up a claims question to a person wearing a military ball cap or tee shirt while out and about at various public places. John has enjoyed fishing and hunting since childhood, was a big fan of old classic movies with Jimmy Stewart, Errol Flynn and John Wayne. His favorite actress, hands down, was Maureen O'Hara. John also had a definite penchant for scary movies. The TV shows of Gunsmoke, Tales of Wells Fargo, M.A.S.H., Deadliest Catch, the miniseries, Band of Brothers, the PBS or Military Channel as well as Discover, Nat Geo and Ken Burns documentaries were frequently watched. He enjoyed visiting art galleries, auctions, and home improvement expos, comedy clubs and playing slots at the casino. John was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Edris (Trautwein) Parker, brother, Paul, sisters, Sandra Lee (Tom) and Mary Ellen Parker, his beautiful wife, Janice (Fields) Parker, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, many friends, colleagues and fellow Veterans. John is survived by his sister, Carol Parker-Park, brother-in-law, Jack Park, who selflessly went above and beyond to help Carol make it possible for John to be home, loved and cared for with compassion, dedication and his ever present sense of humor. John also leaves behind an adult child, Spencer as well as cousins, nephews, great-nephews, nieces, and great-nieces, his lifelong friend, Jere Goff (Janet) and Dan Christine who became a great friend and fishing buddy and who along with his wife, Debby, also invited John to attend the First Baptist Church of Kenmore where they were members. John soon made new friendships there, and made sure any Veteran in the congregation was interviewed. John was the first NSO to sit down and educate a potential claimant about the DAV and the benefits of membership, not unlike his first encounter on the Repose. This new member was Delphine Metcalf- Foster who would become the first woman ever elected as DAV National Commander in 2017.Delphine and John have always had the utmost respect for one another and had many years of mutual friendship and encouragement. She had called to lend her kind words and prayers to John in the afternoon of the 7th. He passed away that very evening. So many wonderful friends and family have called and visited, sharing stories and lending their best wishes of support and sympathies. The memorial service will be Monday, July 21st, 2025 from 5-8 p.m. at the Campfield Hickman Collier Funeral Home 566 West Park Avenue Barberton, Ohio 44203. On Tuesday, July 22nd, those wishing to attend military services for John are asked to come directly to the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery 10175 Rawiga Rd. Seville, Ohio 44273 no later than 2 p.m. to line up for the procession to the memorial pavilion.

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