John Wesley Parker died January 24, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was 82, a native of Dossville, MS and a resident of Kentwood. He was a United States Navy Veteran of WW II and was retired from Baton Rouge, Zachary and Angola and LSU Fire Services.

Religious services were held at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood conducted by Rev. Richard Sandburg and Rev. Joe Starns followed by interment in Centre Cemetery, Greensburg.

He is survived by his wife, Myrtis Newsom Parker, Kentwood; four sons, Wilbur G. Parker, Kentwood, Floyd W. Parker, wife, Rosemary, Waskom, TX, John M. Parker and wife, Janice, Central, and Wesley A. Parker, Kentwood; 2 sisters, Flo Goynes, Baton Rouge, Retta Bellgrapha and husband, Eugene, Zachary; three brothers, Carlton Parker, Zachary, Shade M. Parker and wife, Evelyn, Springfield, IL, and Amos Parker and wife, Colleen, Summit, MS; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Elva Wooten Parker; four sisters, Marie Bankston, Agnes East, Pauline Walker, Roxie Parker; three brothers, James, Gun, and Guy Parker.

The pallbearers were Travis Parker, John Parker, Jason Parker, Blaine Parker, Jimmy Parker and Blanton Burgess.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana State Firemen's Association. For an on-line guestbook visit http://www.mckneelys.com