Terry Allen Parker

TSgt PARKER, Terry Allen, age 79, of Alabaster, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, after a long battle with vascular dementia and Parkinson's disease. He passed away while living at the Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City, Alabama, with his son, James "Chris" Parker, by his side.

Terry was born in Evansville, Indiana, at Protestant Deaconess Hospital and attended Central High School. At age 17, with permission from his grandparents, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he earned his high school GED. He served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Medal. He was honorably discharged in June 1970 and entered into the Civil Service and Air Force Reserves.

In December 1964, he married Vanarah Sue Dasinger of Clayton, Alabama. They, along with their sons, lived in multiple locations in Alabama, including Montgomery, Prattville, Pinson, and Clayton, before moving to Alabaster in 2008. He retired from the United States Air Force on April 17, 2005, after 34 years of service.

Terry enjoyed traveling, camping, woodworking, and visiting friends and family. His passion was flying; he flew everything from a single-engine Cessna to a C-7 Caribou and C-130. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Civil Air Patrol.

He was an avid reader of novels by Dale Brown and enjoyed watching westerns like Rio Lobo and The Magnificent Seven, as well as war movies such as Midway, Patton, and his favorite, In Harm's Way.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Betty Parker; stepmother, Bobbie Parker; grandparents, Walter and Edith Parker; sister, Libbie Plott; wife, Vanarah Sue Parker; and son, Dennis Allen Parker. He is survived by his son, Chris (Andi) Parker; grandchildren, Kayla (Jake) Haygood, Kori (Thomas) Calhoun, Jacob (Ana Catherine) Wipperman, and Campbell Parker; great-grandchildren, Caden Haygood, Karoline Calhoun, Bradyn Wordlaw, Marilyn Calhoun, Alice Calhoun, Harley Calhoun, and Connor Haygood; half-sister, Sherry Nixon; cousin, Marcia Dennison; nephew, Tommy Plott; and other nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 1591 Gadsden Hwy, Trussville, with Rev. Adam Robinson officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, prior to the service, with burial following immediately after, with military honors.

Pallbearers are Kevin Dasinger, Keith Dasinger, Michael Dasinger, Ryan Dasinger, Jacob Wipperman, and Joseph Wipperman.

Honorary pallbearer: Barry Mitchell.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home and Lakeside Hospice in Pell City, Alabama, for their help and care.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Wounded Warrior Alabama (alabamasoldier.org)

Gary Sinise Foundation (garysinisefoundation.org)