Cyrus Franklin Parker, Jr.

Cyrus Franklin Parker, Jr. January 5, 1972 – January 6, 2020 Cyrus Franklin Parker, Jr., 48, was born January 5, 1972 and he entered eternal life on January 6, 2020. He was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, the third of five children to Cyrus Franklin Parker, Sr. and Cecilia Rios Parker. He married Rachael Elizabeth Kyler on October 12, 1996, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was a devoted husband and loving father. Cyrus was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his wife Rachael Parker, son, Ethan Parker and daughter, Carmen Parker; his mother Cecilia Parker of Jacksonville; sisters, Kathy Parker Abril and husband William of Jacksonville, Alice Parker Shackelford and husband Tony of Greenville, Melissa Parker Tsao and husband Doug of Holly Springs and his brother, Timothy Parker and wife Sonia of Cary; sister-in-law, Carole Kyler Krizon and husband Mark; brother-in-law, Garth Kyler and wife Karen; nieces and nephews, Kristina Abril Granados and husband David, Melany Abril Medina and husband Michael, Christian Abril, Bradley Shackelford, Lauren Shackelford, Joshua Shackelford, Victoria Parker, Leo Parker, Luna Parker, Brock Tsao, Lucas Krizon and wife Belinda, Margaret Krizon, Olivia Krizon, Gwendolyn Krizon, Garrett Krizon, Isabelle Krizon, Hellen Kyler, Jennifer Kyler; great nieces and great nephews, Carter Gant, Carson Gant, Cecilia Gant, Josie Krizon. Cyrus graduated from White Oak High School in Jacksonville in 1990, afterward attending North Carolina State University graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. He became a Licensed Geologist in 2003 and a Professional Engineer (PE) in 2005. Cyrus took pride in his successful career at the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for nearly 21 years. As a Transportation Engineering Geologist, he contributed to the design and construction of Interstate-26, north of Asheville. Since 1999, Cyrus worked in the NCDOT Geotechnical Unit as a Transportation Engineer and Transportation Engineering Supervisor. He has been active in the Transportation Research Board for several years. He was nominated to join the Committee on Resource Conservation and Recovery in 2014 and became the chairman of the same committee in 2017. Cyrus truly enjoyed working with this committee. He and others worked together to assemble a memorable summer conference in Asheville in July 2016, of which Cyrus was unable to attend due to the onset of his illness. Cyrus was an involved member at First Baptist Church in Wilson as a Sunday School teacher, an Usher, and a former Royal Ambassadors (RA) leader. He was also an archery instructor for the Wilson County 4-H Club and a member of the BMW Car Club of America, the Tarheel Chapter. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, traveling and exploring. He had a love of cars and shooting sports including archery, rifle and shotgun. Cyrus loved all of his large family and enjoyed spending time with each and every one. He made every effort to attend family events and milestones. He loved us all dearly and we loved him back, more than he will ever know. Cyrus courageously underwent cancer treatments, including two stem cell transplants as a plasma cell leukemia patient since 2016. Rachael was by his side every step of the way. She exemplified great love, honor and compassion throughout this journey. We are indebted to Rachael, all the doctors and the nurses for their work during his care. Cyrus was a gentle, kind-hearted, and lovely person who will be missed by all whose lives were touched by him. He felt all the love and prayers from family, friends, and colleagues. It gave him the strength to continue to fight. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, January 9, 2020 at First Baptist Church, 311 W. Nash St. N, Wilson, NC 27893. The family will be receiving friends and loved ones immediately following the service at First Baptist Church and other times at the home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials and donations be directed to the Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina, PO Box 338, Thomasville, North Carolina 27360 or the UNC Cancer Center Medical Development, Attention: Lineberger, PO Box 1050, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 or give.unc.edu Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.