Obituary of Robert Clinton Parker

Dr. Robert Clinton Parker, age 78, of Cloudrise Lane, Banner Elk, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 3, 2019 at Watauga Medical Center. Dr. Parker received his B.S. Degree from Appalachian State University, M.M. Degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and his PhD from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. During his tenure at ASU, he was Professor of Music—he conducted the University Singers, Appalachian Chorale, and Men’s Glee Club. He was director of Cannon Music Camp, co-founder of An Appalachian Summer Festival and director of Summer Sessions. In addition, he was responsible for International Studies, Appalachian Consortium, the Appalachian House in Washington and NY Loft, Cultural Affairs, and the University Library, among many others. He served on numerous boards and committees. Upon his retirement from ASU he was senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. He was the choir director of Boone United Methodist Church for many years. But his greatest accomplishment and source of pride was his family. He was a loving husband, dad and PawPaw. Dr. Parker is survived by his wife, Darlene Cooke Parker; son, John Christopher Parker of Boone and daughter, Noel Parker Temple and husband, Hamilton, of Cary, his first wife, Faye Ayers of Boone; grandchildren, Parker, McLain and Riley Temple, all of Cary; brother, Tony Yount and wife, Kay, of Lake James, and sister, Sandy McFarlane and husband, John, of Myrtle Beach, SC; step-daughter, Cheryl Catoe and husband, Rick, and step-grandchildren, Catherine, Evan and Ryan Catoe, all of Boone; and step-son, Art Adams of Boone. He was preceded in death by his mother, Violet Yount Wilson, father, Clyde Parker, step-father, Tommy Wilson, and brother, R. E. Wilson. Funeral services for Dr. Clinton Parker will be conducted Sunday afternoon, July 7th, at 2 o’clock at the First Baptist Church of Boone, officiated by Rev. Roy Dobyns and Rev. Doug Brinkley. The family will receive friends Sunday from 12:30 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at the Church. The family respectfully requests no food. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the American Heart Association; to Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church, PO Box 1700, Pilot Mountain, NC, 27041; or to the Cannon Music Camp, online at give.appstate.edu and designate Clinton Parker Memorial gift, or mail check to Cannon Music Camp, in care of ASU Foundation, PO Box 32007, Boone, NC 28608. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Parker family.