Clifford Parker Sr., of Mason, passed away on Saturday, December 26, at the age of 79. Clifford was born on April 23, 1936 in Mason to A.N. "Gus" Parker and Ida Brawley Parker. He was raised in Mason and joined the Army in 1953 when he was 17. He made the Army his career and retired after 20 years of service. While he was stationed in Germany he fell in love with Margarete Virnstein and they have been married for 60 years. Other duty stations that Clifford was assigned to include, Hawaii, Korea (twice), Vietnam, Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, Springfield Missouri where he worked with the Southwest Missouri State ROTC program and with the ROTC program in LaCrosse, Wisconsin where he retired in 1973.

After retiring, Clifford and Margaret moved back to Mason where they have lived ever since. Clifford was a member of the Mason Assembly of God church. He loved to hunt and fish and he enjoyed repairing old automobiles and selling them. His greatest enjoyment was the love he shared with his family.

Mr. Parker is survived by his wife Margarete Parker, of Mason, five children Harold Parker and wife Julie of Mason, Clifford Parker Jr. of Mason, Nancy Parker James and husband Danny of Mason. Bobby Parker Sr., of Mason and David Parker and wife Kim of Dallas along with 9 grandchildren: Gary Rodgers, Michelle Parker, Bo Parker, Bobby Parker Jr., Jimmy Parker, Joshua Parker, Sabrina Parker, Jeremiah Parker, Yesenia Parker and numerous great-grandchildren. Clifford was preceded in death by his siblings, his grandson Andrew Steven Williams and a son-in-law Thomas Andrew Williams.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 30, at 2:00 p.m. in the Mason Funeral Home chapel. Pastor Jim Patterson will lead the services. Interment with military honors and Masonic Services will follow in the Gooch Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are his grandsons Gary Rodgers, Bo Parker, Bobby Parker Jr., Jimmy Parker, Joshua Parker and Jeremiah Parker.