Judge Parker

Joe Parker, a district judge, attorney, teacher, coach, husband, father and grandfather valued for his ethical practice, careful instruction, friendship and quick sense of humor, entered his forever home on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. He was 64.

Visitation with friends and family will be from 46 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2013 at SteedTodd Funeral Home in Clovis, N.M. The burial will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis and the funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. at Central Baptist Church in Clovis. All times are Mountain Standard Time.

Joe was born May 27, 1948 in Levelland, Texas, but grew up in Causey, N.M., where he worked on his familys dairy farm, played basketball and excelled in school. Graduating valedictorian at Causey High School in 1962, he enrolled at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M.

A short time later, he married the love of his life, Ramona Casey and earned a Bachelors degree in 1969. He began coaching basketball and teaching at Portales High School. The two welcomed their first daughter, Kimberly Renee, in 1971.

While in Portales, he was ordained as a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church. He moved to Gallup, N.M. where he lived from 19721975 teaching and coaching girls basketball at Gallup High School. Ramona and Joe had their second daughter, Amy Jolene, in 1975.
Moving back to Portales, he resumed teaching and coaching again. They had their third daughter, Jana Michelle, in 1978.

In 1979 Joe moved to Topeka, Kan., to begin law school at Washburn University. From 19811982 he worked as a clerk at the Kansas Attorneys General Office. He also taught college students at First Southern Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas.

In 1982 he earned his Juris Doctorate degree, passed the New Mexico Bar Exam and began a partnership at Rowley Law Office in Clovis. He opened his own law practice in 1996 in Clovis.

While in Clovis, he served as a deacon and Bible teacher at Central Baptist Church. He also taught a community mens Bible class at the movie theatre. During this time he enjoyed running, walking and biking whenever and wherever possible, including the familys second home in Ruidoso, N.M.

In 2003, he was named a Roosevelt and Curry County District Judge. While on the bench, he kept a full docket even when he began hisbattle with Parkinsons disease.
After four years on the bench, Joes diagnosis lengthened to Lewy Body disease and Ramona and Joe moved to Canyon, Texas and remained there until his death.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Bessie Parker, and sisters Linda Parker and Rita Feitz. Survivors include his wife Ramona of Canyon, TX three children, Kim Bruce and husband Cory of Canyon, TX Amy Duggan and husband Brad of Canyon, TX Jana Kelley and husband Michael of Nashville, TN one brother, Dwight Parker and wife Loveta of House, NM two sisters, Shirley Clavel and husband, Dick of Phoenix, AZ Vickie WilkersonWhitehurst and husband, Joe, of Portales, NM AND eight grandchildren who loved him dearly and called him Papa Joe.

The family is thankful for the love, support and care provided by Hospice Care of the Southwest and Bluebonnet Assisted Living both of Amarillo, Texas.

Memorial contributions can be made to Eastern New Mexico University, 1500 S. Avenue E, Portales, New Mexico 88101.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of SteedTodd Funeral Home and Crematory, 800 E Manana Blvd, Clovis, New Mexico 575 7635541. You may also sign the online guest registry at www.steedtodd.com .

Visitation

SteedTodd Funeral Home
800 E. Manana
Clovis, NM  88101
Friday, February 1, 2013
4:00 6:00 PM

Service

Commital Service

Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens
1601 E. Llano Estacado
Clovis, NM  88101
Saturday, February 2, 2013
1:00 p.m.

Funeral

Central Baptist Church
2501 N. Norris
Clovis, NM  88101
Saturday, February 2, 2013
3:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens
1601 E. Llano Estacado
Clovis, NM  88101

Memorial Contributions

1500 S. Avenue E
Portales, NM  88101