Victor J. Parker

Victor John Parker (Vic) of Marshall, Mich. passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2020 under the loving care of his family after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Marshall to Robert (Bob) and Jeannine (Rule) Parker on July 22, 1956. He is survived by his parents; his daughters, Catie (Mike) Boring and Kristi (Trevor) Love; and his granddaughters, Nora and Claire Love and Olivia and Maggie Boring. He is also survived by his sister, Lynda (Tim) Frantz and Greg (Angie) Parker of Charlotte; nieces, Lauren and Grace; step daughter, Kelly Kelly; and many Parker cousins, aunts and uncles.
Vic graduated from Charlotte High School in 1974. He participated in Boy Scouts and sports, but his true roots were set in Marshall on the family farm on Verona Road. He cherished many memories of sledding with their pony, raising livestock and making a crop. He spent his teens and early twenties traveling the draft horse circuit with Castagnasso and their Clydesdales. Later and at the present he tended to his flock of sheep and herd of cattle, and spent his “free time” making hay and other crops to feed his animals. He also loved deer and coyote hunting and fishing on Garfield Lake.
He was an extremely hard-working man. He bought his first semi in 1978 and ran Vic Parker Trucking, hauling across country until he married and started his family in 1985. At that point he hauled locally and trucked gravel and grain. In the 90s he transitioned a bit and added excavating to his work load. He was a skilled heavy machine operator and loved problem solving. Often times he was heard saying, “It has to look worse before it can look better,” as he worked on projects.
Though he seemed a little rough around the edges and could be a little gruff, he had a servant heart and would drop anything for a friend or stranger in need.
He dedicated many hours of his time and equipment to the Calhoun County Fairgrounds, serving as the chairman of the livestock committee presently, and in previous years served as a fair board member, chair of the infield committee, Sheep Club leader, and informally dedicating countless hours to infrastructure improvements and building projects such as the building of the sheep and goat barn, fairgrounds museum, and infield and track improvements. He was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2002 and was given a lifetime membership because of his service.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 4 p.m. with a brief memorial service followed by a visitation open house at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the CCAIS in memory of Vic Parker. Donations will go to the granary project that Vic was excited to move forward with this year.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vickers Springport Funeral Home, P.O. Box 235, Springport, MI 49284.