Joseph G. Parker

Joseph G. Parker, 70, of Fairbury, Nebraska, lost his long fought battle with Parkinson’s and dementia, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at Jefferson Community Health and Life in Fairbury.

Joe was born Dec. 16, 1949, to Gilbert and Marjorie Parker in St. Louis, Missouri. He was one of five children; with one brother, George, three sisters: Pat, JoAnn and Barb. He spent his childhood going to Busch Stadium to watch his favorite baseball team. He was a lifelong Cardinals fan and never missed a game.

In 1971, Joe joined the U.S. Air Force as a radio analyst. During a rest and relaxation break in England, he met his wife Jolie, of Bangor, Maine, who was there visiting her sister at the time. After marrying, they lived in Bangor where Joe earned his Bachelor’s Degree in business at Husson University.

After graduating, they relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, where a son, Aaron and a daughter, Jessica, were born. Joe worked for University of Nebraska Omaha in the business office while earning his master’s degree in business administration.

Two years later, they moved to Wayne, Nebraska, where Joe worked as a business manager for Wayne State College. It was there they had their second daughter, Amanda and second son, Adam. He enjoyed taking his kids to the college to watch concerts, see the Wayne State Wildcats and visit the planetarium.

In 1989, Joe got a job with the City of Creston, serving as a city administrator for 17 years. He also taught cost accounting at SWCC and was a long-time member of Kiwanis.

He changed positions in 2006, joining the city of Worthington, Minnesota, as a city administrator and was a member of the League of Minnesota Cities.

His final position was with the city of Fairbury, Nebraska, as city administrator where he would retire in 2014.

Joe was a huge history buff, always reading up on World War II. Joe’s true love was riding his motorcycle and made many trips across the country, stopping at every historic monument or battlefield. He was a part of the “storm chasers,” but would also enjoy watching from his porch.

Joe was a quiet guy, but once you knew him it became apparent that he’s witty, clever, a big fan of sarcasm and a goofball. He loved his cookies, bagels, donuts and of course, burnt food. The more charred, the better.

An incredible husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, his presence will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, brother George, sister Pat, and beloved son, Aaron.

He is survived by his wife, Jolie; daughters, Jessica (Dustin) and Amanda (Anthony); son, Adam; three beautiful grandsons: Asa, Ajay and Avery, all of Fairbury.

The family extends a huge thanks to all the people that were a part of Joe’s last phase, including Aseracare and Caring with Friends, Lesa Condon and Kelly Ann Paulsen.

A Celebration of Life service was held 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Chapel in Fairbury, Nebraska.