LANCASTER, SC.........Mr. David Richard Parker, age 87, of Lancaster died Tuesday, July 21, 2015. He was born September 20, 1927 in Lancaster, a son of the late William Harrison Parker and Carrie Parks Parker. Mr. Parker was a United States Army veteran, a life-time member of Camp Creek Masonic Lodge #317, and a member of Camp Creek Baptist Church. He worked for the Lancaster County Sheriff's Department for 10 years as a detention officer until his retirement in 1990. Prior to that, he was a long-time grocery store owner in the Camp Creek community where he also bought and sold real estate in the area.

Mr. Parker enjoyed raising cattle and loved the outdoors, where he worked tirelessly to keep his pastures and land picturesque. After his retirement, until the decline in his health, he was a regular visitor of the elderly that were shut-ins. Mr. Parker was instrumental in the establishment of the first watershed lakes in Lancaster County. The first one was officially named after him in a dedication ceremony by Senator Strom Thurmond. He was also one of the original founders of the Camp Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Parker is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Knight Parker, who worked tirelessly taking care of him in recent years after his health declined. He is also survived by two sons, Mike Parker and his wife Gail of Mooresville, NC and Larry Parker of Lancaster; one daughter, Janet Parker Butler and her husband Bobby of Lancaster; a sister, Maggie Parker Baker of Heath Springs; three grandchildren, Caroline Parker Cleaveland and her husband Chris of Mooresville, Natalie Butler of Charlotte, and Kyle Butler of Lancaster.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clyburn Parker and Archie Parker, and five sisters, Ruby Williams, Pernie Walters, Lucille Steele, Loraine Williams, and Evelyn Courtney.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Mr. Parker will be at 12:00 pm, Friday, July 24, 2015 at the Chapel of Burgess Funeral Home by Rev. Dr. Reggie Parker and Rev. Les Thomas. Burial with military honors will follow at Camp Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends before the service, from 11:00 to 12:00 pm, Friday, July 24, 2015 at Burgess Funeral Home, 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, SC.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Camp Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 998 Potter Road, Lancaster, SC 29720.

An online guest register is available on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com.

Burgess Funeral Home and Crematory, 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster is caring for the family of Mr. Parker.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Mr. Parker will be at 12:00 pm, Friday, July 24, 2015 at the Chapel of Burgess Funeral Home by Rev. Dr. Reggie Parker and Rev. Les Thomas. Burial with military honors will follow at Camp Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.