Randall Erickson Parker
February 13, 1960 – November 4, 2018

Randall “Randy” Erickson Parker of Greenville passed away Sunday at his home surrounding by his family. Randy was born on February 13, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois, the second son and third child of three born to Richard Norman Parker and Pauline Catherine Erickson. Randy resided in Lansing, Illinois for eighteen years, and was educated in the schools of Cook County, Illinois. He learned common sense and what it takes to make it in this world from his father and on the streets of south Chicago.

Randy graduated from Thornton Fractional South High School in 1978, captain of the football team and looking for something higher and better. His father taught him that this world owes you nothing and anything you get in life will have to be earned. He never forgot that lesson and stressed it to all of his students at East Carolina University. Randy went to Hope College in Holland, Michigan looking to extend his football career, but soon realized it was time to move on. He then transferred to Northern Illinois University in 1979 and graduated with a degree in Economics in 1982.

Randy’s parents, breathlessly stressed the value of education from the time he could comprehend the English language and his career path was never in doubt.

In 1982, Randy matriculated to the University of Kentucky for graduate studies and earned his PH.D. in Economics in 1986. Upon graduation, at the age of twenty-six, Dr. Parker came to East Carolina University to begin his career as an academic economist. It has been his only professional position as he worked at ECU for thirty-five years. Randy gave the best years of his life to the people of Eastern North Carolina and East Carolina University.

He wishes all to know just how grateful he was to the people of this region and state. They gave him a home, a life, and a career and for that he is forever thankful.

Dr. Parker, was preceded in death by his beloved and unselfish parents, Richard and Paula Parker. All they ever wanted in life was more for their children than what they had.

He is survived by the greatest source of joy in his life, his wife of twenty-four years, Monica Sullivan Parker. They met at an ECU football game and had their first date at another football game against Syracuse on September 5, 1992. Monica’s love, support and care demonstrates just what a truly good person his wife is. They had fun together and enjoyed life.

In addition, Dr. Parker, is survived by his beloved children, his son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Ashley of Winterville; daughter, Sara of New Bern and her twin sister, Jennifer and daughter-in-law, Catie of Duxbury, Massachusetts. Grandsons, Sullivan, Crawford and Tyson, sons of Chris and Ashley of Winterville.

Dr. Parker is also survived by his sister, Paula Ruben and husband, Paul of Brooklyn, New York and his brother, Richard and wife, Ginger of Louisville, Kentucky.

Dr. Parker has many cherished nephews and nieces whom he loved deeply. Surviving Dr. Parker are his nephews, Brandon Parker Ruben and wife, Lianna of Washington, DC, and Richard Parker, Jr. and wife, Megan of Louisville, Kentucky, and nieces, Audrey Jean Chen and husband, Howard of Roanoke, Virginia and Dr. Ellen Holister Camp and husband, Brad of Johnson City, Tennessee.

Dr. Parker would also like to include his students in his list of loved ones. He devoted his career to giving them the tools and mental attitude to have a better life and carry on his legacy by being people of integrity, truth and hard work.

Randy loved duck hunting with his friends, son, grandson and especially his English Springer Spaniel gun dogs. Dearly departed Spanky, Misiu, Mikka and his surviving gun dog, Sophie brought him great joy as hunting partners and loyal companions. His house dog, Heidi, Cookie and Xena were also bright spots in his life. Randy and Monica were also members of the English Springer Rescue of America (ESRA) and were proud of the many dogs they helped rescue, rehabilitate and rehome. They also were the adoptive parents for many foster dogs while ESRA looked for forever homes.

Randy also enjoyed fine drinking and dining, gambling on horses, college basketball, his family and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He found particular fulfillment being a parishioner of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and in being led by his spiritual shepherd, Father Jim Buchholz. Father Marlon Medieta and Father Gastone were also constant sources of love and understanding. Randy wished to say please forgive him if he has harmed anyone in any way.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with his interment directly following in St. Peter’s Columbarium. After the funeral mass there will be a gathering and greeting at the Spiritual Life Center at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations should be directed to the Dr. Randall and Monica Parker Free Market Economics Scholarship Endowment through ECU University Advancement website or make checks payable to ECU Foundation, Inc. with Dr. Parker Economics Endowment/ EC 3198 in the memo line. Mail to ECU Economics Department, Mailstop 580, Brewster A-427, 1000 C 5th street, Greenville, North Carolina 2758.

You can also click this link to donate electronically to the Endowment 
Dr. Randall and Monica Parker Free Market Economics Scholarship Endowment