Fay Parker Obituary

Parker
Fay Dora
Parker
April 14, 1928
March 10, 2024

Col. Fay D. Parker, USAF (Ret) died peacefully in her Colorado Springs home on February 10, 2024, with family at her bedside. During her military career Col. Parker made significant contributions to the USAF nurse corps. She had a well-rounded education that enabled her to be a mentor to many junior and senior nurses. As a result, she built a strong nursing corps wherever she was stationed. Col. Parker had assignments in Europe, Asia, and multiple locations within the US, serving in a variety of positions including Clinical Supervisor, Flight Nurse, Chief Nurse, Pacific Command Nurse and retiring as Command Nurse, United States Air Force Academy. During her military career she received many awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Service Award Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Upon retirement in Colorado Springs, she remained actively involved with Air Force Nurses, both on active duty and retired. Recently, she enjoyed a party with many of her friends and Air Force nurses in her receipt of the Quilt of Valor. This made her smile from ear to ear!


Fay was born to Richard C. (Bud) & Rosa Cobb Parker in Otis, Louisiana on April 14, 1928. After graduating from Bolton High School in Alexandria, LA, in 1946, and then St. Mary's School of Nursing in 1949, Fay worked as a registered nurse at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria before joining the Air Force in 1951. She dearly loved her extended family and many friends and stayed close to them throughout the years. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Joffre, Marvin, Ray, and Billy, and sisters Ruby, Irene, and Golie. She was beloved by the many nieces and nephews she leaves behind, as well as the community of close friends she cultivated during her 40+ years in Colorado Springs. Fay was indeed the matriarch of the Parker family as evidenced by annual/semiannual visits by family members from LA and TX. She was also an icon to the many nurses she served with or knew through her military career and her longtime friends within Colorado Springs. We want to specifically recognize the following friends who supported Fay for many years enabling her independence which was her bedrock: Gail Gary, son John Jr, daughter Pat and friend Jayne Robinson; Charlene Alderman, Pat Hinrichs, Monica Harrison, Mary Chicoine, Darin & Amanda Hoehb, Jeff & Janet Rosacher , Dick & Ginger Snickles, Jan Andrews, Ruth Olson, Julia Murray, Mary Littlejohn (who to this day still calls her "Col") and Pat Chappell. A special thank you also to Julie Oberlin, as Fay's personal assistant for many years. Yes, Fay was blessed to have such an eclectic family who cared about her dearly. Her energy, mental acuity, and humor were with her to her last breath, and she will definitely be missed by many loving friends and family!

Funeral Services were held at Hixson's Funeral, Alexandria, LA on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00am. Memorial Services in Colorado Springs will be at St Patrick Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Drive,80918 on March 14th at 2 PM. A celebration of life will follow at 5705 Chase Point Circle, Colorado Springs, 80919.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Society of Air Force Nurses (www.safn.org) or your favorite charity or to Hemphill Star Cemetery, (C/O Donna Howe, 269 Miller Road, Boyce, LA 71409.)