Eugene Raye Parker

Eugene “Raye” Parker, 76, of Sylva, NC passed away Saturday July 7th, 2018 peacefully at his home.

Raye was born on July 19, 1941 in Marion, NC.  He was the son of the late Alvin Ford Parker and late Lena Jackson Parker.  Raye graduated from Marion High School in 1959.  Following graduation, he served in the United States Army for three years and was honorably discharged in 1963.  Raye attended Richmond University and graduated from UNC School of Banking at Chapel Hill.

Raye enjoyed 38 years of Banking and retired from First Union National Bank after 30 years of service, retiring in 1997 as Regional Executive.  He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Union, now Wells Fargo.  He was past president of the Sylva Rotary Club, past president of the Sylva Lions Club, past president of Sylva Little League Baseball for a number of years, past president of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, past president of Sylva’s downtown SPIR, achieving “Main Street” certification, and served 17 years on the Foundation Board of Directors at Southwestern Community College.  He was a member of First Baptist Church Sylva and served on various church committees.  He was a renowned dry fly fisherman, fly tyer, and loved to fish the Rocky Mountains.  Raye appreciated every aspect of the outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Harold Dean Parker and Melvin Lawrence Parker.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cindy Robinson Parker, two sons, Michael (Sheri) of Sylva, NC and Drew of Denver, CO; two brothers, Floyd (Carolyn) Parker of Old Fort, NC; James (Virginia) Parker of Charlotte, NC, and one sister, Juanita Hughes of Morganton, NC.

A celebration of Raye’s life will be held Wednesday July 11th at First Baptist Church in Sylva, NC with Rev. Jeff Mathis officiating.  The family will receive friends beginning at 12 p.m. at the church prior to the 3 p.m. memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Sylva, 669 W Main St, Sylva, NC 28779.