
- Name
- Clyde Parker
- Position
- Guard
- Class
- Sophomore
- Hometown (Last School)
- Chrisney, IN
- Ht
- 6'0"
- Wt
- 185
- Seasons
- 1942-43
- Birthday
- May 16, 1923
Transferred to Louisville after time in armed services
Obituary – Dr. Clyde W. Parker, Evansville (IN) Courier & Press (November 7, 2008)
Dr. Clyde W. Parker, 85, of Evansville, IN, passed away at 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2008, surrounded by his family. Dr. Parker practiced general dentistry in Evansville for 44 years, retiring in 1990.
Clyde, a native of Spencer County, IN, was born on May 16, 1923, to Walter and Thelma (Barton) Parker. He graduated from Chrisney High School in 1941 and attended the University of Kentucky on a basketball scholarship. He was a starter for the Wildcats before being inducted into the Army Medical Corps in 1943.
In 1944, he married Nina Lee Abshire and only two weeks ago they celebrated 64 years of marriage. Clyde then attended the University of Louisville as the recipient of that school’s first full baseball scholarship and was also a starter for 3 years on U of L’s basketball team. He graduated from the U of L School of Dentistry in 1947 with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
Clyde and Nina Lee moved to Evansville and opened his dental practice in 1947. He was a dedicated member of a number of professional dental organizations and served as President of both the Evansville Dental Society and the Indiana Dental Association. He was also a trustee of the American Dental Association and a member of the International College of Dentists. His honors include membership in the Pierre Fauchard Academy and in 2003 the Indiana University School of Dentistry Alumni Association made him an honorary member. He also served as a consultant and faculty member in establishing a dental training program for what is now USI.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Clyde was a charter member of Rolling Hills Country Club. For much of his life he remained engaged in sports by playing golf, officiating high school basketball games, and serving as a scout for area universities such as UE, UK, and U of L. In 1982, he was inducted into the University of Louisville Sports Hall of Fame.
Dr. Parker was on the steering committee that founded Aldersgate United Methodist Church and was a charter member. He has served there as lay leader, treasurer, trustee, Sunday school teacher, chair of two building committees and choir member. He has also been involved in the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and the Hadi Shrine Temple.
Clyde is survived by his wife, Nina Lee Parker; daughters, Karin Heinicke and her husband, Don, of Evansville, Carol Verderese and her husband, Jim, of Erie, PA; grandchildren, Leanna Verderese and Jake Verderese; sister, Ruth Lehmkuhl and her husband, Charlie; brother, Glen (Bud) Parker, and his wife, Jeanette; nephew, Chip Lehmkuhl; two nieces, Gayle Waters and Shari Reed; numerous great-nephews and great-nieces; and especially his many cousins who have been so very special to him throughout his life.
Visitation will be at Alexander East Chapel today, November 7, 2008, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 8, 2008 from noon until 2 p.m. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Aldersgate with entombment following at Alexander Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 5130 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47715 or to the organization of your choice. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue.
