Ted Parker obituary Lumberton NC marks the passing of a beloved business pioneer who touched countless lives in southeastern North Carolina. Teddy Dale Parker passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at his home in Calabash, North Carolina, at the age of 71. Known to friends and family simply as Ted, he left behind a legacy as a successful businessman, devoted family man, and humble community member who never forgot his roots despite remarkable achievements in the mobile home industry.
Early Life and Family Background
Ted Parker was born on January 6, 1953, in Robeson County, North Carolina, to parents Marvin L. Parker, called Bud by everyone, and Eunice Grace B. Parker. Growing up in the heart of North Carolina, Ted learned the value of hard work and honesty from an early age. His childhood in Robeson County shaped the person he would become, teaching him important lessons about treating people fairly and working hard to achieve his dreams. He grew up alongside his brothers Keith, Wayne, Tim, and Jeff, creating bonds that remained strong throughout their lives. The Parker family was known in Lumberton for being hardworking and honest, values that Ted carried into his business career and personal life.
Building a Mobile Home Empire
Ted’s career in the mobile home business began when he worked for Bonanza Homes of Lumberton, where he learned everything about selling manufactured homes. He was a quick learner and showed natural talent for understanding what customers needed. In 1980, Ted decided to start his own company, and Ted Parker Home Sales of Lumberton was born. This decision changed not only his life but also the lives of hundreds of families in North Carolina who would buy homes from him over the next two decades.
The company grew quickly under Ted’s leadership because he understood something important about business. He knew that treating customers with respect and offering them quality homes at fair prices would create loyal customers who would recommend his business to others. His honest approach to sales and genuine care for helping families find affordable housing made Ted Parker Home Sales stand out from other dealers. Within just a few years, his company became known throughout southeastern North Carolina as the place to go when you needed a quality manufactured home.
Becoming a Household Name
By the 1980s and 1990s, Ted Parker had become a household name in the region. Anyone who watched local television during those years would remember his commercials advertising mobile homes. His friendly face and honest sales pitch made people trust him, and his business continued to grow year after year. Victor Brewington, who worked for Ted as a salesman and later became a sales manager, said that working for Ted was the most successful time of his career. Brewington remembered Ted as someone who gave opportunities to people and helped them succeed.
Marty Wright, another former employee who later started his own home sales company in Lumberton, said that Ted was a real person who stayed down to earth even after making millions of dollars. According to Wright, Ted became the largest independent manufactured home dealer in the entire nation. Wright also said that he does not think anyone will ever surpass what Ted accomplished, showing the respect and admiration people in the industry had for him.
A Man Who Never Forgot His Roots
One of the things people remember most about Ted was that he never forgot where he came from. Brewington shared a story that perfectly captures who Ted was as a person. He said that even though Ted made tens of millions of dollars through his business, he still hung out with the same friends he had before becoming rich. He went fishing with the same guys, played golf with the same group, and never acted like he was better than anyone else. This quality made people love and respect Ted, not just as a business owner but as a genuine friend and community member.
Ted’s success allowed him to build the famous Ted Parker Mansion, a beautiful 13,000-square-foot home located on North Carolina Highway 72 in Lumberton. The mansion sat on 115 acres of land and became a symbol of what hard work and determination could achieve. Although the mansion was later sold to Chinese investors, it remains an important part of Lumberton’s history and a reminder of Ted’s remarkable success story.
Business Sale and Retirement
In 1998, Ted made the decision to sell Ted Parker Home Sales to General Electric and Ardshiel, an investment company connected to GE. This sale marked the end of an era for the mobile home business in Lumberton, but it also showed how valuable and successful Ted’s company had become. The fact that a major corporation like General Electric wanted to buy his business proved that Ted had built something truly special. After the sale, Ted moved to Sunset Beach, where he lived with his beloved wife Victoria until his passing.
Family and Personal Life
Ted’s family was always the most important part of his life. He married Victoria Stone Parker, and together they built a loving home and raised their children. Ted is survived by his wife Victoria, his son Christopher Lee Parker of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and his daughter Chandra Lynn Parker who lived at home. He also had a daughter-in-law, Deborah Byrd Parker of Myrtle Beach.
Ted was blessed with three grandchildren who brought him immense happiness. Laiken Parker King, married to Justin, J. Kristian Parker Leggett, married to Chance, and Sophie Lia Parker all have wonderful memories of their grandfather. His brothers Tim Parker of Lumberton with his wife Denise, and Jeff Parker of Ocean Isle Beach with his wife Dee, remained close to Ted throughout his life. Ted was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Keith Parker and Wayne Parker.
Final Days and Funeral Service
In his final years, Ted faced health challenges with the same courage and positive attitude that he had shown throughout his life. According to Marty Wright, who stayed in contact with Ted right up until the day he passed away, Ted had suffered from medical problems for several years. Despite these health issues, he never complained and continued to appreciate each day he had with his family and friends.
Ted’s funeral service was held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at two o’clock in the afternoon at Floyd Memory Gardens, located at 3720 Old Whiteville Road in Lumberton, North Carolina. Pastor Trent Haywood led the graveside service, and many people came to pay their respects to a man who had meant so much to the community. Friends, family members, former employees, and business associates gathered to remember Ted and share stories about how he had touched their lives.
Conclusion
Ted Parker’s life reminds us that true success includes both professional achievements and personal character. From his beginnings in Robeson County to becoming the largest independent mobile home dealer in the nation, Ted never lost sight of what truly mattered. He remained a loving family man, a loyal friend, and a generous community member. While Lumberton mourns the loss of this remarkable man, his memory lives on through the countless lives he touched.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Ted Parker pass away?
Ted Parker passed away on January 9, 2024, at his home in Calabash, North Carolina, at age 71. His funeral was held on January 13, 2024, at Floyd Memory Gardens in Lumberton.
What was Ted Parker known for?
Ted Parker was famous for owning Ted Parker Home Sales and becoming the largest independent mobile home dealer in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s.
Did Ted Parker have a family?
Yes, Ted is survived by his wife Victoria, son Christopher Lee Parker, daughter Chandra Lynn Parker, and three grandchildren. He also had two brothers, Tim and Jeff Parker.
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