James Anthony “Tony” Parker

James Anthony “Tony” Parker died peacefully at home on January 2, 2018 after a long struggle with the cumulative effects of rheumatoid arthritis and a valiant fight with cancer over the last year. He was born in Raleigh, NC on March 27, 1958, and was predeceased by his parents, William Gale Parker and Margaret Eastep Parker. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Tilley Parker and son, Tanner Wilson Parker, his sisters Margaret Parker Hogan and husband, John C. Hogan, Betty L. Parker and Karen E. Wyatt, his nieces Parker Hannah Hogan and Cameron Lenoir Hogan, and well-loved extended family and friends. Tony grew up in west Raleigh, graduated from Broughton High School in 1976 and from Western Carolina University in 1981.  After working as a paralegal in his father’s law office, he opened and operated Capital Abstracting Services, a real estate title examination service, for more than 20 years. A fixture in the Register of Deeds vault for years, he enjoyed having many good friends among the paralegals, real estate attorneys, and County staff. Tony was fun loving, open minded, a gregarious conversationalist, a loyal friend, had a generous heart and above all was a family man. Tony was active in Scouting and youth programs at Forest Hills Baptist Church. He competed in sports in junior high, high school, college and beyond, and enjoyed playing softball, golfing, and NCSU sports. He especially loved Wolfpack football and tailgating with Tanner, friends and family. Tony shared his love of sports with Tanner, and found great joy in Tanner’s accomplishments and success with football, baseball and golf. Tony cherished time spent with Tanner above all else. He was a proud and vocal fan at Tanner’s games, and enjoyed the many players, coaches, parents and friends encountered along the way. Although rheumatoid arthritis slowly took a toll on his physical condition, it did not diminish his intellect, resolve, stolid dignity, sense of humor, goofy laugh, love of life, or determination. Special thanks to his lifelong friends and family who visited with him in his home in his last difficult year, as he treasured those moments. Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or Cancer Society.