01/08/16   Coach Jimmy "Red" Parker Obit

Funeral services for 84 year old Coach Jimmy Dale “Red” Parker will be held this afternoon at one at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, off I-30 in Little Rock. Coach Parker died Monday after a long battle with heart disease.

Parker was born in Hampton and graduated from high school in Rison in 1949 and Arkansas A&M college in 1953. He began his coaching career in Fordyce as head coach and spent eight years in Fordyce, the last three years highlighted by a 36-0 record. Coach Parker went on to coach at many high schools and colleges during his career, including Clemson.

Joe Bill Meador of Fordyce not only played football under Parker but Little League baseball. Many might not know that Coach Parker played semi-pro baseball in Louisiana. Meador talked about Coach Parker's final game of his career.

Former and current coaches and former players will be honorary pall bearers at Parker's funeral this afternoon. Memorials may be made to the Red Bug Alumni Foundation in Fordyce.