Robert E. Parker Jr., 89, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 3, 2017. He was predeceased by his parents, Jamie D. and Robert Elliott Parker Sr.

Robert graduated from Suffolk High School in 1946 and immediately entered the Army, serving as a sergeant in the finance department. He graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1951 with his Bachelor of Arts degree, re-entered the Army and served as a field artillery officer in the Korean War. Upon returning to civilian life in 1953, he started in the insurance business in Richmond. In 1956, he returned to Suffolk and founded Parker and Company, a general insurance agency and real estate brokerage firm. He was president and chief executive officer for 43 years. In 1999, he sold his insurance division and placed his real estate license with Chorey and Associates.

He was an active member of the Liberty Springs Ruritan Club, co-founder of the Suffolk Ruritan Club, member of the Suffolk Lions Club, and active in both Main Street United Methodist Church and Hillcrest Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Old Parker, daughters, Penny Lee Parker and husband, William C. White, and Patricia Parker Johnson; sister, Martha Umphlett; stepdaughters, Susan Lawrence and Kay Adams; stepsons, Lee Old and Mark Old; grandson, Parker Elliott Sawyer; step-grandchildren, Maddy, Brady, Michael, Claire, Ann-Tyler, Parke, Clayton and Sheldon.

A memorial service was conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 1637 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 23434 by Pastor Ricky Garza. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church Building Fund. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.