Keith Stanley Parker

Keith Stanley Parker, 87, flew into the heavens May 5, 2012 to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born in Rock, West Virginia on March 9, 1925 and was the son of the late Edgar Parker and Gwen Lusk Parker of Browning Lambert Mountain in Montcalm, West Virginia. He attended school in Matoka, West Virginia and a graduate of the University of West Virginia with a degree in Electrician. He also held degrees in water purification, mining safety, and construction. He served his country in the United States Navy until his honorable discharge in 1946. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II and a gunman and barber on a LST-694. He survived a typhoon and torpedo attack and was in the waters during the movement of the atomic bomb. He was awarded a silver star and decorated WW II Veteran that served in the Pacific Campaign. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Bluewell, West Virginia. He helped construct Indian Meadows Resort in Pipestem, West Virginia and was the maintenance supervisor until he retired. He helped construct and build The Kirby Addition water system and retain management until it was sold to Bluewell PSD. His hobbies consist of gardening, politics, shopping (especially at flea markets), and taking pictures. He showed his appreciation by giving photographs of Key Damn to his family, friends, and caregivers which are displayed around the two Virginias. He was a proud “Papa” of his grandchildren and loved to play with his great grandchildren. Survivors include the love of his life for 64 years, Earnestine Janet Parker of Bluewell, West Virginia; daughters, Karin Ardena Witt and husband Terry of Bluewell, West Virginia, and Connie Lynn Elmore of Bluewell, West Virginia; Brothers and Sisters, Hershal Parker and deceased sister in law Louis of Bluewell, West Virginia, Evelyn Kruetz and deceased husband Robert of Golden, Colorado, Ardith Smith of Bluewell, West Virginia and deceased husband Frank Smith of Newport Ritchy, Fla., Norman Parker and wife Janet of Norfork, Virginia, and Arnold Parker and wife of Browning Lambert Mountain; Grandchildren include Heather Lee Surface of Bluefield, Virginia, Carrie Danielle Roberts and husband Rob of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Brandon Tracy Elmore and wife Delana of Wytheville, Virginia, and Michael Keith Prater of Bluewell, West Virginia; Great Grandchildren include Logan Bailee Surface and Brayden Parker Surface of Bluefield, Virginia, Ian Daniel Roberts and Parker Bailey Roberts of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Donovan Wade Elmore of Wytheville, Virginia. He also has 24 nieces and nephews. Services to celebrate the life of Keith Stanley Parker will be held on Thursday May 10, 2012 at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church in Bluewell, West Virginia with Jackie Johnson and the Reverend Donnie Dinger officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, West Virginia where Brandon Elmore, Logan Surface, Michael Prater, Rob Roberts, Terry Witt, and Tim Moody will serve as pallbearers. The US Navy Honor Guard and Mercer County Veterans Council will conduct Military graveside rites. Those wishing to show memories or condolences with the family may do so by visiting on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 6-8 pm at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, West Virginia and One hour prior to the Funeral service at First Baptist Church in Bluewell, WV. Online condolences may be sent to the Parker family at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Parker family.