Parker Harvey Strong Sr.
Parker Harvey Strong Sr., age 67, of Burton, passed away at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center on March 14, 2024.
Parker was born on June 3, 1956, to the late Samuel and Thelma (nee Ritchey) Strong in Ravenna.
He was raised in Garrettsville and was part of the James A. Garfield G-Men PCL Championship team in 1972 and graduated from James A. Garfield High School in Garrettsville in 1974.
Immediately after graduating high school, Parker worked at various factories in Portage County, most notably The Eaton Corporation in Mantua before retiring at Swagelok in Solon.
Parker was a single father to both Aaron and Rachel, and enjoyed being their baseball and softball umpire as well as a vocal cheerleader for their Hot Stove Leagues.
He also enjoyed chaperoning for Rachel’s Girl Scout troop for many years and watching Aaron play basketball.
Parker worked the night shift so he could attend all of their school and sporting events during the day.
In 1993, he married the love of his life, Rebecca (nee McCullough). Together they had their son, Parker Strong Jr. “PJ” and lived in Middlefield before moving to Burton.
Cooking was his passion. Parker graduated from the Loretta Paganini School of Cooking in Chester Township in 1999 as a certified chef. He was proud of his chef skills and for 20-plus years personally catered the McCullough Family Reunion, held each year during Labor Day weekend.
Parker was a proud member of The Great Geauga County Fair Auxiliary, where he served and volunteered on and off for 30 years. His duties included working in baked goods, the flower hall and, most recently, working in the maple department with his “fair wife” Vicki Koller.
He was an Assistant Boy Scout Leader for Troop 197 in Burton for his son PJ and enjoyed summer camps and also cooked wings for their wing night fundraisers.
Parker was a huge Big 10 football fan and attended many Ohio State football games. He was fortunate enough to travel to two “once in a lifetime” Ohio State football games. He watched them win the 1997 Rose Bowl game and attended the 2003 National Championship game with his son Aaron and brothers-in-law, in which Ohio State was victorious.
Locally, Parker attended every Cardinal Husky football game, to support Rachel who played in the marching band, and every Berkshire Badgers football game, to support PJ who also played in the marching band.
Being a G-Men himself, Parker supported the James A. Garfield G-Men and enjoyed watching their games.
Parker and Becky enjoyed traveling, walking with their dog Blue and quilting together. He had a quilt exhibited at The Lake Farmpark Quilt Show.
Finally, Parker was a tissue donor for Lifebanc.
Parker will be greatly missed by his wife, Rebecca; children, Parker (Breonna) Strong Jr., Aaron Strong, Rachel (Gabe) Arnold; his dog, Blue; sisters, Evelyn Strong and Marion (Ed) Burns; along with many nieces and nephews.
He is also leaves behind favorite brothers-in-law, C. Robert (Flor) McCullough Jr. and their son C. Robert III, John (Dorice) McCullough and their daughter, Haeley, David McCullough, Richard (Barbara) McCullough and their daughter, Katelyn.
A celebration of life was held March 23, 2024, at the Geauga County Fairgrounds School Exhibit Building at 14373 N Cheshire St., Burton. His final resting place is in Welton Cemetery in Burton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Great Geauga County Fair Foundation at geaugafair.com/fair-foundation; or Rescue Village, rescuevillage.org.
Memories and condolence can be shared with the family at www.slyffh.com.
Sly Family Funeral Home assisted the family with these arrangements.
