Sargent Thomas Parker 82, of Good Hope, Illinois, passed away at 6:37 PM Sunday, April 24, 2022, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.
He was born Aug. 7, 1939, in Peoria, Illinois to Stanley and Mary (Matthews) Parker. He was raised by Bea and Bill Parker.
Surviving are his children, James Parker of Salmon, Idaho, Lori (Jack) Braten of St. Augustine, Illinois, Stacie J. (Clint) Courson of Abingdon, Illinois; 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; a brother, Bill (Kim) Parker of Wyanet, Illinois; sisters, Nancy Ohda of Walnut, Illinois, Lynn (Pete) Bechtold of Joplin, Missouri; half-sister Julianna Parker of Antelope, California. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Parker and a half-sister Jennifer Parker of California.
Tom was known as a hard worker. He took pride in working hard and was still talking about his work until the week he passed. He was a self-employed contractor, home builder, and commercial project superintendent.
Tom grew up in Wyanet, Illinois. He was in Avon, Illinois for work when he met Carol Steach. They married and had 3 children, Lori, Jim and Stacie. They lived most of their married life in London Mills, IL. They later owned the Avon Town Tavern together, then divorced. Tom moved to the Macomb area and spent his later life in Good Hope, IL.
Tom was known for living life to the fullest. He was a well-known poker player and spent many nights around the poker table with friends. There wasn’t a town you could visit without someone having a story about Tom Parker.
Tom loved gardening in the summer and skiing in the winter with his grandchildren.
He loved dogs and always had a Labrador retriever in his car and by his side. Those dogs spent many nights waiting outside the casino for him! He had a passion for good food, and he looked forward to family get-togethers because of the food and loved dining at good restaurants.
He also loved spending time with his Health Care workers Melissa Bundy and Melissa Haywood and his time spent raising Tara Boone.
He was the life of the party and loved by so many. He will be greatly missed.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside service will be held in Babbitt Cemetery, St. Augustine, IL, Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held at the Storm Shelter Pub in Avon, IL, at 4:00 p.m. the same day. Memorials may be made to the McDonough County Humane Society and left in the care of the funeral home. Wise Family Funeral Home, Avon, is in charge of the services.
