Thomas Parker, Sr.

Thomas R. Parker, Sr. began his journey on October 25, 1953, when he was born in South Plainfield, N.J. to Robert L. Parker, Jr. and the late Nellie G. Parker.

At an early age, he attended White Rock Baptist Church and then New Light Baptist Church.  He later joined Faith Temple Christian Church in Plainfield, NJ.  In 1983, he obtained his Certificate of License to Minister the Gospel.  He also attended Zarephath Christian College.  Thomas founded Shekinah Worship Tabernacle, where he led as Pastor for over 10 years and focused on sharing the gospel and serving the community.  Thomas had a heart for outreach and evangelism and adorned the title “Street Preacher”.  He last served as a member of Believers Fellowship Church, where he was known as an elder because of his wisdom and maturity in Christ.

Thomas was a graduate of Piscataway High School, where he starred on the track team.  He was an athlete at an early age, and he played little league baseball and middle school basketball.  As an adult, he earned his black belt in karate and was an avid bowler in a league. Thomas was a talented musician and he played lead guitar for many years.  He enjoyed playing pool, fishing, bike riding, roller skating, dancing, and talking on the CB radio.

Thomas worked for many years at National Starch, Kleiner Metal, Germinsky Electric, and Gary Community School Corporation.  He was a licensed electrician, and he founded his own company, P.F.C. Electrical Contractors.  After retirement, he continued to invest in the community through his natural gift of teaching.  Thomas was featured in the Post-Tribune for his work as a classroom volunteer at Thomas Watson Boys Academy.

Thomas is predeceased by his mother Nellie G. Parker and his sister Deborah A. Parker-Ivey.

Left to cherish his memories are his spouse Letetia Parker; his father Robert L. Parker, Jr.; his children Thomas Parker, Jr., Rodney Mason, Tameisha Mason, Shekinah Parker, Katrina Parker, Ernest Parker, Joshua Parker, Jeanette Parker, Danielle Parker, Tamar Lunsford, Tana Hutcheson, and Courtney Hirsch; his siblings Robert L. Parker III (Angelika), Lloyd Parker, John Parker (Ylonda), Alicia Walker (Shawn), Mark Parker (Carolyn), Janis Parker, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.