Parkers celebrate 63 years of marriage

Monday, Sept. 27, will mark the 63rd wedding anniversary for Thomas Edward (Dooder) Parker, Jr. and Erma Louise (Wilder) Parker.

Dooder is a lifelong resident of Port St. Joe, born on June 25, 1927.  Erma Louise was born July 31, 1927 in Shamrock, FL, moving to St. Joe as a young girl.  Tom and Louise met and dated while attending Port St. Joe High School and married in 1947 after Dooder returned from a stint in the Navy.

Dooder worked as a projectionist for the Port Theater as a young man and eventually found employment at St. Joe Paper Company where he worked for over four decades until his retirement.  Erma Louise worked for several years at the St. Joe Telephone and Telegraph Company before taking a position managing the STAC House, helping raise many generations of St. Joe’s youth.  

Both were members of First Baptist Church for over 50 years where Dooder served as a deacon, and he and Erma were members of the Inspirations.  Throughout their lives, Erma Louise and Dooder have donated generously of their time to help others, whether it was repairing a T.V. or electrical device or bringing food and flowers to shut-ins and the sick.

Dooder is somewhat of a historian on Port St. Joe, recalling with amazing clarity occurrences as far back as 1932.

They have married children, Donna Louise Capps (Donald), Joyce (Joy) Elaine Underwood (John), Pamela Ann Lawrence (Steve) and Thomas Edward (Tres) Parker III (Pamela);  four grandchildren, Bryan Capps, Bradley Capps (Andrea), Kristi Lawrence Weeks (Billy) and Leigh Lawrence and four great-grandchildren, Will Weeks, Ann Louise Weeks, Parker Capps and Stella Capps.

Mom and Dad, your children wish you a wonderful 63rd anniversary and want everyone to know that we have the two most wonderful parents in the world.  Thank you mom and dad for all you have done for us, and all you have taught us through the way you have lived your lives.

You both have all our love, always.