09/05/2025
David “Dave” Timothy Parker I, 64 years old, of Lawrenceburg, TN, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
He was born on May 16, 1961, in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina to Carol June Guthrie Martin Parker Hollis and Donald Parker.
David was a woodworking enthusiast and local general contractor for the majority of his life, and he took deep and abounding pride in working with his hands. He found great purpose in helping close friends, fellow town residents, and most especially and always, his children to complete a myriad of home improvement projects and renovations; he could handcraft anything he put his mind to. From restaurant bar tops to coffee tables, to nursing homes and his neighbor’s fence, there was no project too big or too small. He will live on forever through his talents that moulded the world around him, and he made sure to share those talents with his children any chance he could.
He was the proudest father of five children and the greatest PawPaw to his granddaughters, and all those yet to come.
His favorite activity would absolutely be going to a local restaurant and watching the Tennessee Vols play on a Saturday in the Fall, visiting his children in both Knoxville for a game at Neyland and Memphis for world-class barbecue. His vivacious spirit and jovial demeanor made him a friend to anyone who came in contact with him - unless they didn’t share his high moral fiber. The man never met a stranger. A lesser known fact about such a hardworking, grease-under-the-fingernails man like him — he loved writing poetry and had dreams of being published one day. He leaves behind many poems that continue to inspire and uphold his children and their families.
He brought people joy and anguish with his humor, but that double-sided coin of a guy had the best heart. He was never happier than when he was in the yard, grillin’ his ribs and listening to his songs at the highest volume allowable.
He was a firm believer in God and the promise of an afterlife, so he knew how important it was to lead a kind and principled life.
He is preceded in death by his sweet mother, Carol June Guthrie Martin Parker Hollis; his grandparents, Ruby and Gene Martin, and Roy Clifford Guthrie; his beloved father-in-law Oliver Dean Cross; his road dogs: Butcher, Smokey, Blue Dawg, Blue #2, Bear, and Violet; and he’d never leave out his honorary sons, Nathan Shackelford and Jason Smith.
He leaves behind the mother of his children, Sondra Diane Cross Parker, and most critically, his reasons for working so tirelessly and hard as a dog: Spenser Wade (Laura), Andrew Louis (Carlee), Jennifer Caroline (Taylor), Shannon Elizabeth (Will), and David Timothy Parker II; his granddaughters: June, Olivia, and Mabel (due this Christmas 2025); his baby brother and sister: Donna (Greg) Johnson, Michael (Debbie) Hollis; his nieces and nephews: Brian (Jeaney) Johnson, Brittney (Tanner) Shults, Phillip Thompson, Daniel Thompson, Ally Hollis, and Sara Hollis; and his great-nieces: Ella, Clara, Holly, and Harper.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, TN. The family will receive friends from 1-3 PM on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at Neal Funeral Home, with funeral services to immediately follow. Interment will follow at Bumpas Cemetery in Lawrenceburg, TN. Condolences may be sent by way of our website at www.nealfuneralhome.net. Photos are requested to be sent to the following because he despised Facebook: DAVE.PARKER516@GMAIL.COM.
“THE CAPACITY TO HEAL YOURSELF LIES WITHIN YOUR OWN MIND. YOU’RE STRONG AND SMART. YOU HAVE THE TOOLS FOR HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT. PAY ATTENTION!!!”
- D. PARKER