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Obituary Saigon Kid: Burton Gordon Parker

Mr. Burton Gordon Parker
February 7, 1945 – May 20, 2010

Mr. Burton Gordon Parker, age 65 of Boydton, Virginia, died Thursday, May 20, 2010 at his residence in Merrymount subdivision on Lake Gaston. He was a retired Data Management Consultant and an Army veteran. He was predeceased by a son Brandon J. Parker and is survived by his wife Jessie Hale Parker, his daughter Kathryn Parker of Alexandria, his son Burton L. Parker of Richmond, his father Burton F. Parker of Taviener, Florida and two brothers Donald Parker of South Port, NC and Steven Parker of Aurora, Colorado.

A Memorial Service will be conducted on Monday May 24, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. in Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory with interment in Arlington National Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent by clicking HERE.

Our brother … Saigon Kid
Burton Gordon Parker

We gather here
To honor you

Our Spirits walk with your Spirit
As we gather here
Under the Creator’s Heavens
We do not weep at your grave
For you are not there, you are not asleep …

You are,

the gentle winds that blow over the land and waters …
the golden hue of the morning sun rising to warm another day …
the glistening ocean as we cast our eyes upon the sea …
the crimson sunset that ends each day …

You are,

the white foam of each wave that washes upon the shore …
the gentle rain that falls upon the land …
the mist upon a mountain peak …
and the colors of the rainbow …

You are,

the song of the morning birds as they greet us each day …
the scent of flowers in the night air …
the moon that lights the night sky …
and the twinkle of the stars shining bright …

We do not stand at your grave and cry,
For you are not there, you did not die …

our Saigon Kid brother …

the Divinity within us salutes the Divinity within you …

Saigon Kids


12 comments to Obituary Saigon Kid: Burton Gordon Parker

  • Kenneth R. Yeager

    I hope to hell this is the last time I have to read a message like this on this blog, but I know it won’t be so. Rest in Peace, Burt.

  • Randy Seely

    Sincerest condolences to the Parker family. Rest in peace, Burt

  • Sarah J Rogers

    So happy that I was able to meet with Burt again since Saigon days. Like Ken says, it won’t be our last farewell.

  • Michael Ann Gutter

    My deepest sympanthy goes out to Burt’s family. It still bothers me to see our “Kids” die so young. Burt is at peace but the rest of us have to live with the loss and knowledge that our time will come.

  • Frank

    I’m listening to the song “Slow Hand” by the Pointer Sisters. Burt requested this song at the Nashville Reunion.
    Susan and I wish to pass on our sincere condolences to Burt’s wife and family.
    Rest in Peace my Man, for we are not far behind…
    Frank

  • Maile Doyle

    So sorry to hear about this. Burt and I had exchanged addresses and planned to connect when I visited my son’s family in southern VA this summer. Sending my condolences to Burt’s family.

  • Michael Dunn

    Yen and I send our deepest sympathy to B.G.’s family. B.G. and I became close friends when we were teenagers in Saigon. I remember a ride we took on his sampan on the Saigon River. He had a flair for living life to its fullest and in its natural setting. He was plain spoken and completely honest. I remember when he came to visit us in San Antonio, TX, on short notice, the day after Thanksgiving, on what he called his “walk-about”, after a family tragedy. He went with us to visit my Dad in the Park Lane nursing home. My Dad remembered him and his father from the days in Saigon. We went out for a Mexican dinner and B.G. danced with our granddaughter, Tabitha (then 5 yrs). He will be sorely missed. He was an absolute gentleman and the greatest friend. We know he must have been a wonderful father and husband.

  • Arlene

    I was very sorry to hear the news of Burt’s passing.

    Burt tried hard to be a good person.

    Burt always joined us at the reunions – with the exception of the Saigon one.

    He was very into Saigon Kids.

    He attended the funeral of Saigon Kid Dan Parker (no relation) at Arlington National Cemetery. Dan had been killed in Iraq on a security convoy in early 2004. Burt was dressed in full military dress uniform. He quietly reached out to Jacquie, Dan’s widow, and the rest of Dan’s family.

    Burt will be talked about and missed wherever Saigon Kids gather.

    Here is a photo of Burt, Jessie, me and David taken just prior to us boarding the General Jackson for dinner, dancing and show cruise during the Nashville reunion (2004).

    Love
    Arlene

    Burt 2004 Reunion
    Left to right: David, Arlene, Jessie and Burt

  • Richard Peabody II

    I am so sorry to hear of Burt’s passing, he and Bob were great friends during my time in Saigon. I have just posted four photos in the Photo Gallery under lastest additions near the bottom of the page.

  • Ruth Matteson Blackmore

    I was so surprised to read of Burt’s passing. I will miss him at our reunions and I wish his wife Jessie and the rest of his family well.

    Ruth

  • Jessie Hale

    Saigon Kids,

    Thank you for your kind words and sharing of memories of Burt. He was a most attentive and loving husband, a good man. Your sympathy is deeply appreciated.

    Jessie

    • Jessie – Please keep in touch with *your* Saigon Kids family. If there is anything you and your family need, Saigon Kids will always be here for you.

      Many blessings and BIG HUGS from all your Saigon Kids family.

      Bob

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