Ray H. Parker

Raymond Hill “Ray” Parker, age 76, a resident of Columbia, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 30 at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Pegram, TN. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born May 10, 1947, at the Kings Daughters Hospital, in Columbia, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Leon and Ruby Ragsdale Parker and husband of the late Betty Jean Parker. Ray served five tours of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter medic. He was wounded several times, awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Stars and the Congressional Medal of Honor. His civilian employment consisted of being a lawyer, retail delivery, insurance and manufacturing sales.

Ray is survived by his sister: Lena Ferguson of Columbia; step-sons: Shane (Emily) Rodgers and Alan (Shelia) Rogers, both of Columbia; grandchildren: Kris Rodgers of Murfreesboro and Jake “Squirt” Rodgers of Columbia; half-brother: Tommy Hill of NC; half-sisters: Mary Scott, Sherry Haskins, Debbie Jett and Lucy Hill, all of Columbia.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his biological parents, Raymond and Lela Whidby Hill.