Mr. David Parker passed away peacefully July 7, 2022, on his 94th birthday. David was a renaissance man. He was not only an extraordinarily kind person, he also was dedicated to improving the lives of those around him. He devoted his life to fostering success in people regardless of individual ability, promoting physical, spiritual, and mental excellence, and giving back to his community at every opportunity. Many people remember him as a role model and inspiration, and his contributions to the community will never be forgotten.

Born in 1928 to Benjamin Parker and Lena Joyner, David was the youngest of four children: Nathaniel Parker, Maurice Parker, and Lois Gaitwood. David graduated from Hillside High School, where he was an active member of the alumni committee. After graduating high school, David served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He would recant stories of being on the frontlines with bullets flying overhead, but with the grace of God, he survived and was able to tell the tale. He also started developing his talent for coaching during this time by introducing basketball to his fellow soldiers as a means of raising morale.

Following his deployment, David attended Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. During his tenure at Xavier, he supported the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the local nuns, as a chauffeur and general assistant. His athletic talents flourished at Xavier, where he was nicknamed “The Fox.” He was a crucial player in the 1954 Turkey Day Classic, an annual football tournament between Dillard and Xavier, where he led the team to victory 39 to 13 before a crowd of 9,500 fans. Because of his role in the game, David was selected to the Catholic Small College All American Team and went on to become an All American in both basketball and football. He also met his wife, Elizabeth, in New Orleans.

When he returned to Durham, David coached baseball and basketball at the John Avery Boys Club and ultimately became the Director of the John Avery Boys and Girls Club. During his tenure, he led his teams to victory across multiple sports, and became one of the winningest coaches in the city. He believed in supporting youth athletics regardless of gender, which led the Boys Club to allow girls into their programs. Everyone wanted to be a member of his teams because they knew they would be in championships. David also ensured the children on his teams received meals after games, and would personally purchase food when they traveled out of town. David went out of his way to be a role model for the boys and girls in the community, and organized lectures where young people could learn to improve themselves athletically and academically.

Even though David was well known for his athletic ability, he was equally talented in academics. He graduated in the top of his class, receiving special honors for academic excellence. Pursuing his calling in education, he taught algebra, accounting and business math at Durham College and St. Augustine University. He was dedicated to his students’ success, and he never turned anyone away that required additional tutoring to pass the course. One of his unsung charitable deeds was that he helped secure funding and advised the schools on ways to improve educational opportunities in mathematics for minorities.

David was a very spiritual person, and was devoted to expressing his faith via service to his church community. As part of his calling, David was an usher, provided income tax filing assistance, was a member of the men’s society, and was a member of the Holy Cross Senior Crusaders. In addition to supporting the church, David would personally go out of his way to help people in need.

David also appreciated the fine arts and traveling. His annual family vacations included attending Broadway shows in New York, staying in beach houses in the Outer Banks, and visiting amusement parks and state fairs. He experienced many diverse cultures in his trips and cruises around the world with Liz.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Elizabeth Parker; devoted daughters Davida Trumbo, Toni Atkinson, and her spouse Darryl Atkinson; grandchildren Darlie Atkinson-Hugill, her spouse Eric Hugill, Nina Trumbo, and Matthew Trumbo; great-grandchildren Karielle Atkinson and Kohlton Hugill; and nieces and nephews Leo Parker, Alan Parker and Shari Anderson, Bucky Whittle, Audrey Whittle-Ringgold, Chris Gaitwood, Joanne Gaitwood, Corliss Gaitwood, and Andrea Harris.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2438 S. Alston Ave., Durham. NC, on Thursday, July 21, 2022, visitation service 10:00 am and funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be held at Markham Memorial Gardens.

Masks are to be worn and social distancing required at all meetings with family and friends.

All acts of kindness are appreciated during this difficult time.