Dr. Joel Parker Jr.

Dr. Joel Parker, 86 of Fort Smith, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024. He was born on April 21, 1938 in Selmer, TN to the late Joel E. Parker, Sr. and Dora Wardlow Parker. Dr. Parker was a retired pediatrician, having served the Fort Smith community for several years through the office of Drs. Post, Floyd and Parker. Prior to coming to Fort Smith, he served as a pediatric doctor in the U.S. Air Force. Dr. Parker was a huge Razorback fan, he loved to call the Hogs even if it was from the rooftop of his house! He was also an avid sportsman; he loved to fish and go deer and duck hunting. Dr. Parker was gentle and kind, his love of children went beyond his profession, which was why he was such a good pediatrician.

He is survived by his wife Sandy, of the home; his daughter, Jill Wells and her husband Mitchell, of Charleston, AR; his son, Joel Parker, III and his wife Elaine, of Ponte Vedra, FL; two sisters, Donna Brown of Germantown, TN and Anita Colwell of Cumming, GA; six grandchildren, Wesley Wells and his wife Kristin, Delaney Wells, Henley Wells and his wife Bridget, Remy Wells and his wife Hannah, Elizabeth Parker and Lauren Parker. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Everlee Mae Wells and Parker Grace Wells.

Graveside committal of ashes will be 11:00 am Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Roebuck Chapel of the First United Methodist Church at 1:00 pm. Family will greet friends in the church narthex following the memorial service. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or go to www.stjude.org.