Buddie Franklin Parker was born in Magnolia, Arkansas on June 20, 1942.  He was the second son of Martha Elouise Bradley and John Morgan Parker.  He joined his brother John Alan Parker (deceased), and was followed by Terry Lynn (Pete) Parker 1944, Alexander Cleveland (Mickey) 1945 & Michael in 1947.

Buddie graduated in 1960 from Magnolia High School.  He loved to play baseball, and even tried out for St. Louis Cardinals.  During high school Buddie worked at the local movie theater learning how to run the projection machine, a skill which also served him well when he was in college.   In August 1962, Buddie joined the Army and trained as a combat engineer.  He learned how to blow up things, and how to jump out of perfectly good airplanes.  He was assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division, Fort Benning, Georgia.  His unit trained for service in Vietnam, and was eventually renamed the 1st Air Cavalry Division.

During his time at Fort Benning, Buddie met the love of his life, Sandy.  He was always quick to tell the story of their meeting at a fish fry hosted by his platoon sergeant, where their 'table' was a trash can lid.  He asked Sandy's parents for permission to get married in June 1965 but Sandy's dad was going to Vietnam, and her parents asked them to wait until he returned.

Buddie was discharged in August 1965, and he returned to Magnolia, while Sandy moved to Virginia with her mother.  Buddie attended Southern State University for a year, and he and Sandy talked on the phone and wrote letters every day.   They were married on August 6, 1966 in Richmond, Virginia.

In the fall of 1966, they moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where Buddie worked for the Boeing Company.  He was part of the testing team for the Saturn 5 rocket, destined to take men into space.   During their time in Huntsville, they welcomed a baby girl, Teresa, and a little later a son, Matthew.   In 1969 Boeing transferred Buddie to Seattle, Washington.

In late 1969 Buddie decided to return to college, and the family moved to Hampton, Virginia.   Buddie enrolled at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia as an engineering student.  He worked several jobs for aerospace companies headquartered at Langley Air Base, and in 1973 graduated with an engineering degree from Old Dominion.

He was hired by Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company (PDM) and began his 25 year service with them in Birmingham, Alabama.   His job took the family to Louisiana and Florida during his training.  He became a project manager for PDM, contracting and building tanks all over the southern and middle states.   He worked on the Brownsville Power plant.

In the fall of 1979, Buddie was transferred to Perth, Western Australia, to work with PDM-Johns Perry, as a project engineer.   It was the chance of a life time and the whole family enjoyed 3 years in Australia.  Reluctantly, the family returned to the US in 1983, this time to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.   Buddie's sales territory included the Caribbean and South America.  He spent a lot of time on planes and away from home.   He was even caught in the middle of a military coup in Equator one time.

While in Pittsburgh, Buddie was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith; something his family had prayed would happen.  While always encouraging of his family practicing the faith, he could now join them in the full Eucharistic celebration.

In 1986 the family moved to Houston, where Buddie continued to work for PDM, earning several Salesman of the Year awards.  Buddie left PDM in 1998, and went to work for Schier Construction, and later for Pasadena Tank.  When he retired from construction work entirely he became the keeper of the house, and was great at it.  He was proud to serve at Prince of Peace Catholic Community as an EMHC and acolyte for many years.

Buddie & Sandy celebrated 57 great years of marriage this year.   His children, and grands and greats meant the world to him.  They always brought great joy when they would come visit, even close to the end of his life here.   His kindness toward others, his ready smile, his willingness to help others and his genuine caring heart made him many friends.

Buddie leaves behind a large family who loves him dearly and will miss his whistles, smiles and ice cream treats.  He is survived by his loving wife and best friend Sandy; his children, Matthew and Teresa; and adopted daughter, Tammy.  His grandchildren, Meagan Parker; Nicole Wright & husband Josh; Liam Montgomery; Anthony Pejerrey & wife Sasha; Amanda Rojas & husband Steven; Jason English; Bailey Thomas; Heather Parker, Samantha Parker.  And his great-grandchildren,  Jenna Lynn Parker, Mason Parker, Alexander Wright, Cameron Wright, Harrison Rodriguez, Benjamin Rodriguez, Luke Rodriguez, Guillaume Pejerrey, Genevieve Pejerrey and Giselle Pejerrey.  He also leaves behind his brothers Pete Parker and wife Marilyn; Mickey Parker and wife Carolyn; and his baby brother Michael Parker.

A visitation will be held Monday, October 23, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a vigil to start at 6:00 pm at Klein Funeral Home-Champions. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 10:30 am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church 19222 State Highway 249, Houston, TX 77070. Interment will follow at 1:45 pm at Houston National Cemetery.

In honor of Buddie, the family requests that you please wear joyous colors to the funeral mass in celebration of his homegoing. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Prince of Peace Mercy Ministry.

Arrangements are entrusted to Klein Funeral Home-Champions.