Merle Parker

Merle LaVern Parker, 81, of Oakley, a retired teacher and coach of Industrial Arts, high school golf and girls’ volleyball died Monday, August 3, 2015 at Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kansas.

Mr. Parker made many friends throughout his coaching and teaching career, helping students develop their talents, both creative and athletic. From 1979 to 1996, he directed students toward their passions both on and off the court.

Prior to beginning his calling as a coach and teacher at Wheatland High School in Grainfield, Kansas, Mr. Parker, was the proud owner of Merle's Shoe Store, a popular store in Oakley, Kansas. He was an expert on outfitting feet with proper shoes and believed that nicely fitting shoes were a necessity.

He also worked in the crop adjusting space, which for decades has helped farmers rebound from destructive events. Mr. Parker served his country in the Air Force from 1959-1963.

Mr. Parker was smart and serious with a goofy sense of humor, including one of the final conversations he had with his wife: "Am I your little princess?" she asked. "Well, you're my princess," he said.

Merle LaVern Parker was born with one tooth in Brewster, Kansas, on Sept. 16, 1933 in the family home. His father and mother were the owners of Parker Hardware. His sister, Norma Jean, was a book keeper for a furniture store. She died in January. His older brother, Bud Parker, is a retired teacher and counselor. He lives in Colorado.

Mr. Parker graduated from Fort Hays State in 1955 and received a BS in Industrial Arts. Shortly after graduating, he met and married his first wife, Leona Walt, and had three children, Joseph Merle, Timothy Merle and Jeny Lee.

After his divorce, he met and married Sandra Kay Swart, his rock and his soulmate. Together, they started a new chapter at a lovely outdoor wedding held on July 11, 1985. As Sandi Parker's husband, Merle inherited another family and a lot of new nicknames, among them including "Merle the Pearl" and "U.M."

Mr. Parker is survived by his two sons, Joe (Judy) and Tim (Janet) Parker and his daughter, Jeny Lee Stevens; his wife of 30 years, Sandra Swart Parker; five grandchildren, Makena Katt, Jamey Blide, and Rachel, Travis and Ryan Parker; and one great grandchild, Kraytyn Lynn; brother, Bud. He is survived by a community of students that loved him, teammates that looked up to him and an entire army of friends and step-family that already miss him very much.

Memorial service will be 10:00am on Friday, Aug 7, 2015 at St Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley. Inurnment will follow at 1:30pm in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Grinnell. Memorials are suggested to the Merle Parker Memorial Volleyball Scholarship Fund in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley KS 67748. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com