Terrance Parker

Rev. Dr. Terrance I. "Terry" Parker, 77, of Vermilion, died Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Mercy New Life Hospice after a brief illness.

He was born August 9, 1947 in Sandusky, OH to Dr. Lester G. and Florence (nee Bremer) Parker.  He graduated from Sandusky High School in 1965 and Capital University in 1969 where he majored in speech and pre-theology.  He earned the Master of Divinity degree from the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary at Columbus and was ordained into the ministry of the American Lutheran Church in 1973.  He completed the Doctor of Ministry degree through Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Columbus in 1986.

Pastor Parker served in the following congregations: St. James in Wheeling, WV as an intern; Badger Lutheran in Badger, South Dakota; Salem Lutheran in Wooster, OH and Trinity Lutheran in Vermilion, retiring in 2011.  Among his areas of service were: Lutheran Campus Ministry Board at South Dakota State University; Lutheran Memorial Camp board of directors; Parish Peace-builder for the Ohio District of the American Lutheran Church; Chaplain at Hospice of Wayne County; member and president of the Wayne County Church Cabinet; Ministry Committee of the Northeastern Ohio Synod, ELCA: member, secretary and chair of the Ohio Candidacy Committee of the ELCA; board member of Midwest Ministry Development Center in Columbus and Chicago; Mentor for First Call Theological Education for the Northeastern Ohio Synod, ELCA; Internship Supervisor and workshop leader for Trinity Lutheran Seminary; member, president and treasurer of the Vermilion Ministerial Association; member and chair of he Vermilion Parks and Recreation Board, and a volunteer at New Life Hospice.

Terry was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Huron.  He was also an active member of the Sandusky Sailing Club, its Board of Trustees and Race Committee.  He was also a member of the Vermilion Boat Club and Lyman Boat Owners Association.  His interests included sailing, golf, and bicycling (he was very proud to have attained his goal of 1,000 miles) as well as performing and writing vocal and instrumental music.

Terry is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sandra (nee Eberhard) Parker of Vermilion; son, Matthew (Kerri) Brown Parker of Raleigh, NC, son, Daniel (Melissa) Parker of Worthington, OH; twin brother, Timothy (Jane) Parker of Sandusky, OH, brother, Lester G. (Cathy) Parker Jr. of Saranac Lake, NY, two grandsons: Oliver Brown Parker and Evan Christopher Parker and sister-in-law, Patricia Eberhard of Sandusky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Florence Parker.

A celebration of Terry's life will be held at a later date.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Zion Lutheran Church, 930 South Main Street, Huron, OH 44839.

Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.