Richard L. "Dick" Parker

May 27, 1932 - August 29, 2021

Richard L. Parker, 89, of Penney Farms and formerly of St. Augustine, died Sunday, August 29, in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Middleburg, following an arduous two-week battle with Covid. Born in Batavia, New York on May 27, 1932, Dick was the son of the late Leonard and Mary Parker. Over his lifetime he enjoyed two careers, first in pastoral ministry and later in institutional development, serving non-profits throughout the country. He and Jean (Rehmeyer Parker), his surviving wife of 45 years, moved to St. Augustine in 1984, and several years ago they retired to Penney Farms. Dick was ordained by the American Baptist Convention after receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Seminary, Hamilton, MA, and he pastored churches in Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania from the late 1950s to the early 1970s before launching a successful 35-year career as a fundraising consultant. He was a pastor at heart, and his genuine love for others ideally suited him to both professions. He was a vital, energetic guy who always had a smile for you. Dick and Jean shared a passion for small group ministry, and throughout the past 35 years countless people were positively impacted by their compassion, kindness, and wisdom. Their love for Jesus and other people bound their hearts in ministry and marriage. Dick adored Jean. She was the love of his life. Dick loved to be active, whether playing golf, visiting Jean’s and his kids and grandkids, helping people in need, doing yard work, or traveling the country. He was adventurous, and in retirement Jean and he traveled extensively throughout America and Europe. They were a great pair: gracious hosts, teammates in ministry, and road warriors who knew how to have a good time. In retirement, when all the travel was finished, Dick and Jean most enjoyed special times with their children and grandchildren. To them he was a caring, generous, positive, warm, and welcoming father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, always smiling, planning fun things at the spur of the moment, and making jokes with a twinkle in his eye, suntanned and happy. We will terribly miss his warm, strong hugs and his loud, full-of-life laugh. Surviving Dick are two children, Tom (Lois) and Joy; his sister Carole (Jim); and five stepchildren, Ron (Suzanne), Denise (Rob), Karen (Ken), Julie (Mike), and Sue (Brian). He is survived by 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Leonard; and his youngest son, Daniel. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, September 13, 2021 at Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080. Interment will follow at Craig Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dick’s memory may be made to Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080, and designated for the church’s State Road 16 ministry; or to Penney Farms Retirement Community, 3495 Hoffman Street, Penney Farms, FL 32079, and designated for the Residents Aid Fund. Because of the current spike in the COVID 19 infections, the family is requesting all attendees to please wear a mask to the service. Those unable to attend can view the service live streamed on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com . St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.