Catoosa - Services for Charles Stewart Parker of Catoosa, Oklahoma will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Rice Funeral Home Chapel located at 631 E. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, Oklahoma. Dr. Ray Crawford from Claremore First Methodist Church will officiate. Charles passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on February 23, 2025 at the age of 82.

Charles Stewart Parker was born on April 23, 1942 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Isaac Charles Parker and Virginia Stewart Parker. When Charles was very young, his family moved to Tulsa. He graduated from Edison High School in 1960 and then attended the University of Oklahoma for a short time. Charles married Kathleen Anne (Heffernan) Parker of Tulsa in 1961. They were blessed with three children. Charles enjoyed a long career in Sales and as International Purchasing Manager for Southwestern Wire Cloth, retiring in 2004. He was proud to be the great grandson of Judge Isaac Charles Parker of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Charles and Kathy traveled extensively throughout the United States and were able to visit all 50 states over the years. They especially enjoyed their trips to the Southwestern part of the country where they would hike and explore in Santa Fe, Mesa Verde, Moab and the Arches National Park. He also traveled internationally for work, with his favorite destinations being Japan and Taiwan. Charles enjoyed life to the fullest with his family, friends and neighbors. He had a variety of hobbies, including hunting, knife making, and leatherwork. He also studied guns and spent many hours in the J.M. Davis Gun Museum. After he retired, he found time to work on his golf game, and he and Kathy played nearly every day for several years.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his brother William (Bill) Parker. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; sister Janie Rhein of Frederick, Maryland; daughter Karen Neal and husband Rick of Broken Arrow; son Dr. Robert Parker and wife Janette of Claremore; daughter Ginny Willis and husband Jim of Sugar Land, Texas; grandchildren Matthew Parker and wife Allie, Dr. Jack Parker and wife Katie, Daniel Parker and wife Dr. Lauren Parker, Lauren Willis, Kate Willis, Sam Parker, and Olivia Willis. He is also survived by two great grandsons, Graham and Bennett Parker. Charles was extremely proud and supportive of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the many people who lovingly cared for Charles over the course of his illness, including Shonna, Christine and the entire staff of Traditions Hospice as well as his friends at the Catoosa WalMart Pharmacy. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be directed to the Compassion Center fund at Claremore First Methodist Church.