A Life Story

Guyton – Richard R. “Dick” Parker, 89, passed away June 9, 2026 at Candler Hospital. The Screven County native retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves as an E-6. He was a longtime member of Rincon First Christian Church where he loved cutting the grass for many years and an active member of Oak Grove Church of Christ. He enjoyed gardening and sharing his vegetables with the community. He enjoyed singing and swinging on his porch, but his greatest love was spending time with his family, fishing with his grandsons, or riding with his granddaughters to get a meal or ice cream or talking and listening with them. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred M. Parker and Georgia Elizabeth Taylor Parker; daughter, Becky Parker; siblings, Jewell Patterson, Buford O. Parker, Agnes Parker, F. M. Parker, Franklin Parker, Clifford Parker, and Alex Parker. Survivors include his wife, Kay Parker; daughters, Susie Parker Ainsley and Marianne Parker Saxton (Stephen); son, Russell Parker; grandchildren, Nathan Ainsley (Raegan), Austin Ainsley, Madilyn Saxton, Ava Saxton, Claire Saxton, and Adler Saxton; great-granddaughter, Shiloh Ainsley; brother, Ray Parker (Joyce); and a number of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2026 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Springfield Cemetery. Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421