Roll Call Tribute

James Masterson Parker
November 15, 1925 - February 11, 2021

James Masterson Parker was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 15, 1925 and died on February 11, 2021. He was predeceased by his parents Gladys Smith Parker and Ernest Clyde Parker, his two brothers Clyde (and wife Josephine) and Travis (and wife Barbara), and his brother in-law, L.J. "Buzzy" Gittinger Jr. (and wife Jo Anne).

Jim attended Beacon Hill Elementary, Horace Mann Jr. High and Jefferson High School. After one semester at Texas A&M, he joined the Army as a "flash and sound" observer in the Headquarters Battery of the 246th Field Artillery Battalion, Americal Division, where he saw combat on Leyte and the beachhead invasion of Cebu in the Philippines. Scheduled to be in the first wave of troops in the invasion of Japan, he thankfully ended up on the first troop ship into the docks at Yokohama Harbor on September 8, 1945 instead. When the Americal Division was disbanded, he transferred into the Hq. Btry. of the 1st Cavalry Division, last serving as its Survey Sergeant. He returned to Texas A&M after the war and completed his degree in Civil Engineering in the Class of 1947. He worked as a construction estimator and field engineer for several San Antonio firms for thirteen years. After contracting a serious fungal lung infection, he was told it would be hazardous to continue in the field because of the constant exposure to contaminants. So, he enrolled in St. Mary's Law School at night and obtained his J.D. He served as the first briefing attorney for the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, briefing for the esteemed Justices Charles Barrow, Fred Klingeman and Carlos Cadena, the latter of whom became his close friend for many years. He worked in the City Attorney's Office for the City of San Antonio, eventually rising to the post of City Attorney in the late 1970s. He was not one to suffer fools and/or politicians, and so moved into private practice to represent numerous city and county workers in employment claims, often with his good friend, the late Harry Nass. He practiced law until he was almost 90 and was also still digging postholes while his grandsons watched in awe as well.

He was married to Janine Gittinger Parker, the daughter of Katherine Laager Gittinger and Judge L.J. "Buck" Gittinger, for over 50 years before her death in 2000. Her dying before him was something he had never contemplated, but he did not let it dominate his last 20 years. He did miss her terribly, however, and their reunion makes this a joyful occasion for them, if not those left behind. Through Janine, he was an unofficial member of the San Antonio Liederkranz for many years, which mostly involved him carrying various heavy pieces of musical equipment for her throughout Texas and even Europe, and telling her when it was time to go home. He was also a Member Emeritus of the Beethoven Mannerchoir for his many hours of volunteer work for the group, and wished to especially thank Albert and Veronica Kuest, and many other members for their long years of fellowship.

He is survived by his son, James M. "Jamie" Parker, Jr. and his wife Susie; his daughter, Dr. Patricia Cecconi and her husband Mark; and his daughter Cristina Parker. He is also survived by nine grandchildren (Hannah Parker Benavidez and husband Ian; Logan Parker, Carey Parker (and fiancé Desie), Alec Parker, Luke Cecconi, Marcus Cecconi, J.P. Gibson, Travis Gibson and Agatha Gibson), and two great-grandsons (Henry Benavidez and August Benavidez), all of whom will miss their Opa greatly. Dad also thought often in his last days of Andrea Hornberger, his "Deutsche Daughter," whose love and letters over the years were a constant source of joy to him. He leaves behind numerous much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins, who will miss his wise -- if sometimes blunt - counsel as the patriarch of the family. At 95, he had been left by many of his friends, but still treasured the continued friendship of John and Elma Dallmann and Tony and Mary Ann Crosby. All will miss his epic and unending generosity, and his hard work at whatever he was putting his very substantial mind to at the moment, whether it was family business, taking pictures, doing puzzles or suduku, or building just about anything.

The family would like to especially thank Vitas Hospice and Avionn Home Health Care for the care and love they showed dad in his last few months. Bea, Oretha, Lauren, Millie, Lisa, and the other caregivers went above and beyond in making him comfortable and easing his passing, which was peaceful and without pain. Further thanks are given to Dr. Frank Mueller for all of his help over the years.

Because of Covid restrictions, there will be a family-only graveside service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on March 26, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and his "other son", Steve Spicer, with honorary pallbearers Bill Womack, Cee Parker and Anne Parker Stark. You may find a link within his obituary page at www.porterloring.com and the family invites you to attend the service online. We will gather at some point thereafter to celebrate his life, perhaps at the Beethoven Garden, which he dearly loved. Please sign the online guest book so that we can include you in whatever plans develop. The family requests no flowers, and dad would undoubtedly tell you to keep your money in your pocket rather than donate to anything in his name. Just raise a glass, a thought or a prayer to a life well and long-lived, and that will be enough for him and us.

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