Leon Richard Parker

Leon Richard Parker, 65, of Mauriceville, passed away from complications of multiple myeloma on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at MD Anderson in Houston, surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be from 2:30pm to 8:00pm, Friday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange with a Rosary recited at 6:30pm.

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, on September 4, 1948, Leon was the son of David R. Parker and Ruby M. (Cessac) Parker. He served in the United States Army Special Forces and worked as an insurance agent at Allstate for 20 years. Leon was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and he enjoyed cooking chicken and sausage gumbo for the Soup Kitchen. He loved farming, tractors, his Black Angus cows and spending time in his garden; but most of all Leon loved God and his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandmother, Dolie Boudreaux; and brother-in-law, Glen Robison.

Leon is survived by his wife, Mary Beth Parker of Mauriceville; son, Shannon Parker of Abbeville, Louisiana; daughters, Michelle Parker of Jefferson, Maine, Amanda Parker of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Tiffany Williamson of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Wendy J. Newman of Beaumont, Lori N. Fountain of Fannett; 15 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and sister, Connie M. Robison of Abbeville, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Leon’s name at www.gifts.mdanderson.org ; identification number: 724643.

There will also be a visitation held from 12:30pm to 8:00pm, Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville, Louisiana with a Rosary recited at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am, Monday, January 20, 2014, at St. James Catholic Church in Esther, Louisiana. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery.