The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-05-10
ROY PARKER'S DEATH A
LOSE TO WHOLE STATE
BIZ VICTOR MEEklNS

Joseph Roy Parker, 62, Ahoskie
newspaper publisher, was an in
spring figure. His passing is a
blow to the state, a tragedy to the
Roanoke Chowan area which was
so dear to his heart, and major
loss to the newspaper profession
in North Carolina.
He was an inspiring figure, who
during nearly rs years of serious
illness had carried on with the
strength of many men. He carried
on his work from his home, or
from his hospital bed. The produc-
ton of copy for his papers never
ceased.
While in his teens he bacame
the publisher of weekly news
paper. Later his brother joined
him. They pioneered in the estab-
lishment of several weekly news
papers all produced in one plant.
The four Parker Brothers news
papers are top-notchers in this
state. a,., l.sa.
He was a craftsman of the first
order; a man of conscience and
character, who stood for the rights
of all the people; who advocated
no unworthy causes who reflected
lustre upon the profession. He had
pride in his work, firm convictions,
and his determination to work and
to produce despite the ravages of
illness through the years has been
miraculous and amazing to the
newspaper fraternity.
He leaves a son to carry on,
Roy, Jr., who at an early age has
also overcome the discouragements
of serious illness and is proving
a worthy son of an able father.
Roy Parker received many hon.
ors during this lifetime. At the
time of his death this week, he rep
resented his county in the General
Assembly, where he stood for the
same things he stood for outside.
He believed in honesty in Gov
eminent, that the people should
know all about their affairs. He
opposed the secrecy methods of
chicken-hearted legislators who
are not willing to let the people
home know how their business is
transacted in secret meetings. He
never compromised his conscience.
He had long been active in the
affairs of the North Carolina Press
Association and was it's president
in 1933-34. He had recently COM
pleted history of his county, aft
er many years of painstaking re-
search and writing.
For several years he served the
University of North Carolina as
teacher in it's journalism school
where he gave practical aid to
those who would be most useful on
the papers of the state. He had
trained on his own newspapers
many able newspapermen who had
gone forth to other greater respon-
sibilities.
Many things will contrive to
keep his memory green in his
state, and particularly in the be-
loved Roanoke Chowan to which he
devoted his life and his affection,
but no more enduring monument
to him will exist than the Roy
Parker School of Printing which
is the fruit of his dreams and la
Dor at Chowan College. Here
young people are taught newspap-
ering and printing at it's best and
enabled to earn gainful liveli-
hood in the profession which Roy
Parker chose.
Roy Parker had been leader
in the successful movement to re-
open Chowan College.
Educated at Wake Forest for a
lawyer, he dropped the practice of
law to follow the newspaper pro-
fession. He served in the armed
forces in World War I. Before his
majority he was in the publishing
business and his Hartford County
Herald as far back as 40 years ago
was recognized as tops among the
weeklies of the state in mechani-
cal excellence, newsiness and fair
reporting. In all that he did, he
took pride.
We grieve deeply at his being
stricken suddenly with a heart at
tack in the hey-dey of his useful
ness. His honesty and wise counsel
is needed. We take some comfort
in realizing that he probably went
as he wished, while he was in the
midst of doing great things; with
out having to watch from the
sidelines while disabled, and that
he was secure in the confidence of
having left behind a great son to
carry on.