Jerry Dean Parker

Aztec
Jerry Parker
June 9, 1942 - Jan. 3, 2016
Jerry Parker died on Jan. 3, 2016, at San Juan Regional Medical Center, in Farmington, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on June 9, 1942, in Glendale, Calif., to Wally and Gayla Parker. He married Judith Ann (Matthews) Parker in 1964.
Coach Jerry Parker graduated from Aztec High School in 1960. While a student of Aztec High School, he was very active, participating in football, wrestling and baseball, earning letters in all three. While playing on three state runner-up teams in football, he earned All-State honors as a running back. In Wrestling he became Aztec's first Individual State Champion in 1959, winning it again in 1960. He went
on to wrestle at the University of New Mexico, transferred to Western State College, and earned a B.A. in Physical Education with a minor in Math in 1965.
In 1965, he was hired by Aztec High School to teach math, coach football and wrestling. During his time as the head wrestling coach, his teams won the District Championship four times, were State Runners-up twice, and won the State Championship in 1971. He was honored as Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1971, and again in 1975. He was honored again in 1976, and again in 1992, as the City of Aztec Teacher of the Year. After retiring from coaching, Coach Parker earned a masters degree in counseling, and was a guidance counselor for Aztec Schools until retiring in 1992. He was an honored wrestling official, working local and state tournaments for 20 years from 1979 to 1999.
His community service included City Commissioner from 1972 to 1983. During that time, he was the mayor of Aztec in 1975, and again in 1978. Coach Parker influenced and touched many lives during his years of service to the people and students of Aztec.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; parents, Wally and Gayla Parker; his brother, "Skip" Parker; and nephew, Lt. Col. Daniel Murray. He is survived by his daughter, Lesha Ann and granddaughter, Iesha Ann Gilbert; son, Nicholas Parker; his twin sister, Sherry Murray; niece, Alison (Travis) Carson; three nieces and a nephew.
Memorial services will be at noon, Monday, Jan. 11, at Piñon Hills Community Church, 5101 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Jerry's name to the Wounded Warriors Project, one of Jerry's favored organizations.
Jerry's care is entrusted to Alternative Choice Burial and Cremation, 804 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, 505-325-9611. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at serenityandcompany.com.