John W. Parker

John Wicker Parker, 93, long time resident of Fredonia, Kansas, passed away, Monday, July 5, 2021, at Morning Star in Fredonia, Kansas. John was born March 8, 1928 in Rural Fall River, Kansas to Ruel “Bob” Wicker and Mary Helen (Johnson) Parker.

On April 15, 1951, near Earlton, Kansas, John was united in marriage to Vivian Nadine Babcock. They were married for 56 years until her passing in 2007.

John served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict where he earned the rank of Master Sergeant.

John owned and operated Self Service Grocery Store in Fredonia, Kansas from the early 1960’s until its closing in 1985. He also worked with Tom Floersch at Ray’s IGA. In more recent years, he delivered prescriptions for Fredonia Pharmacy.

John was a member of the Fredonia First United Methodist Church and the Fredonia Lions Club. He enjoyed spending time with his family, attending church, working, attending his children’s sporting events, golfing, being around people and telling his jokes. John was a highly respected and well-loved member of his community.

John is survived by sons, Gayle (Chris) Parker, Tonganoxie, Kansas, Clifford (Susan) Parker, Bentonville, Arkansas; daughter, Sharon Little, Bentonville, Arkansas; grandchildren, Dillon (Andrea Holliger) Parker, Eric (Heather) Little, Denver Little, Nathan Parker, Maggie Parker and Wesley Parker; and great grandson, Hank Parker.

In addition to his wife, Vivian, John was preceded in death by his children, Karen Jean Parker (1953) and Steven Ruel Parker (1962); his parents, brother, Ralph Parker, sisters, Dorothy Chambers, Vada Glasgow and Opal Wilson.

Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, July 10, 2021, 2:00 p.m. at Fredonia First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Friday, July 9, 2021, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Wickham Family Funeral Home, 510 N. 7th Fredonia, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Fredonia Lion’s Club or Fredonia First United Methodist Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home.

The service will be livestreamed through the Fredonia Kansas First United Methodist Church Facebook page.