The Life of Jerome S. "Jerry" Parker Ph.D.
Jerry Parker 71, of Upper Darby passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was a loving father to Zack and Jessica Parker and married to Susan Parker for more than 45 years. Jerry built deep roots in the Upper Darby community, moving to the area 40 years ago to begin his career at Delaware County Community College. For the past 14 years as president of DCCC, it was behind the scenes that Jerry paid it forward in ways far beyond the stories we have heard. Since hearing of his illness in April 2017, people from all walks of his life have come forward with stories of generosity and kindness that continue to build up this mountain of fond memories - a man that never boasted or spoke of these acts of kindness. He was the embodiment of a true leader. However long this obituary, it would barely scratch the surface of his unrelenting love for the community. Everyone he has touched holds their own memory in their hearts. His memorial celebration will be 11am Sat., Dec 1st at the Christ's Community Church, Garrett and Riverview, Drexel Hill where friends may call beginning at 10:30. Gifts in memory of Dr. Jerry Parker may be made online to the Delaware County Community College Educational Foundation in support of student scholarships at www.dccc.edu/makeagift, or at rpatten1@dccc.edu. Online condolences www.toppitzer.us.
“Jerry was a compassionate, community-minded, visionary who devoted most of his life to educating and training students,” said College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black. “Delaware and Chester Counties benefited significantly from his knowledge and passion for higher education. He will be sorely missed by his peers, colleagues and friends.”
Dr. Parker started at the College in 1977 as assistant to the vice president for administration. Over the years, he also served as executive assistant to the president for planning, research and external relations; dean of management systems, planning and enrollment management; and vice president for community and corporate education.
Prior to his retirement from the College last year, Dr. Parker received many awards for his extensive involvement in and commitment to Delaware and Chester Counties. In October 2017, the College renamed the Advanced Technology Center at the Marple Campus after him, in recognition of his essential role in bringing the state-of-the-art facility, which houses the College’s skilled trades and manufacturing training programs, to fruition. In March 2017, the Chester County Economic Development Council inducted Dr. Parker into the Chester County Business Hall of Fame for his exemplary leadership and vision in forging lasting relationships between the College and business and industry in Chester County. Five of the College’s eight locations are in Chester County.
In 2016, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), a national community college advocacy organization, named Dr. Parker CEO of the Year for ACCT’s Northeast Region. That same year, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce presented Dr. Parker with its “President’s Award.”
Dr. Parker’s many external activities and memberships provided him with a broad perspective on the social, governmental and environmental factors affecting community colleges, higher education and the Greater Philadelphia region. He served and was a former board chair of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges. He also was chair of the Chester Higher Education Council; a member of the Crozer Keystone Health System Advisory Board; chair of the Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development; chair of the Chester County Economic Development Council; a member of the Workforce Investment Boards of both Chester and Delaware Counties; a founding member of the Manufacturing Alliance of Chester & Delaware Counties; and a member of the Delaware County Industrial Development Corporation. He also was chair of the Riverfront Alliance Board, and sat on the Delaware County Chief School Administrators Board, the Delaware County Suburban Study Council, and the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc.
A graduate of Wesleyan University, Dr. Parker earned a Master of Science in Adult Education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It was in Milwaukee that he met Susan, his wife of 45 years. The couple moved to Delaware County in 1977, when Dr. Parker accepted a position at Delaware County Community College.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 1 at 11 a.m. at Christ’s Community Church, 337 Riverview Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (corner of Riverview Avenue and Garrett Road). Gifts in memory of Dr. Jerry Parker may be made online to the Delaware County Community College Educational Foundation in support of student scholarships at www.dccc.edu/makeagift, or by contacting Rachael Hunsinger Patten, vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director of the College’s Educational Foundation, at 610-359-5132, or at rpatten1@dccc.edu.
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2018.11.29
The Airport Caravan
We first met Jerry, Sue, Zack and Jess when we moved to Lansdowne in 2000. We were introduced by a mutual friend in the neighborhood, Alwiya Omar. From our first visit to the Parker home, we were immediately welcomed as long lost family. We lived as neighbors for six years, and have remained in close contact even after we moved. During our final days as neighbors, our family of four stayed with the Parkers, colonizing their home for almost a week as we prepared to relocate to Malawi. The dining room looked like an airport storeroom, with our luggage piled high. The TV room was converted to our master bedroom, and our two sons stayed in a bedroom upstairs. When Jerry returned home in the evenings, he greeted the Kaiser entourage with a caring smile and an occasional understated chuckle as he inspected his dining room. He immediately recognized that our eventual trip to the airport needed some advanced planning, so he organized a caravan of vehicles to carry our stuff. This is just one act of kindness among many - too many to include here. Jerry's warm, welcoming, and loving smile, his understated but unmistakable presence, his selfless caring for others, and his love and dedication to his family, are forever etched in my memory of him. Over the years I have learned from and tried to emulate these traits. I often fall short, but Jerry's life was - and will continue to be - an inspiration for me, and many, many others who were lucky enough to call him a friend. May he rest in eternal peace.