Rudolph P. Parker, 72 of Scotch Plains, N.J. died on April 26, 2013, at the Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Mr. Parker was born in Suffolk and educated in the local school system. He graduated in 1959 from Booker T. Washington High School. Mr. Parker, affectionately known as “Ned,” excelled in sports, most notably basketball and football, and was an avid NY Knicks and NY Giants fan. He attended Kittrell College in North Carolina. With Bettie Lee Barnes, also of Suffolk and a 1961 graduate of Booker T. Washington, he moved to New Jersey in 1962, where they married and had three daughters, Lastacia, Germaine and Vokaye. He was a corrections officer for 27 years and a member of the PBA and National Black Policemen’s Association. He also worked as part of the security team for the Newark Board of Education for more than 20 years. He coached and mentored many young students in basketball, chess and life skills in his fun-loving but no-nonsense style. He was truly loved by all who knew him. Mr. Parker returned to Suffolk often to visit family members, school mates and friends. He especially looked forward to the Booker T. Washington High School reunions.

He is survived by his daughters, five grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. A wake and viewing will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2013, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and the funeral service will be held on Monday, May 6, 2013, at 11 a.m. Both services will be held at Second Baptist Church, 100 Durham Ave., Metuchen, N.J. Cards and acknowledgements may be sent to his daughters c/o Plinton-Curry Funeral Home, 411 W. Broad St., Westfield, NJ 07090.

Please log on to www.plintoncurry.com to sign his guest book.