Marshall Parker
Encyclopedia
Marshall Joyner Parker was an American Republican
politician
from South Carolina
. Born in Seaboard, North Carolina
, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(class of 1944). In his first year of college, Mr. Parker was awarded with the Freshmen Athlete of the Year Award. Later, he would go on to letter in boxing and football. Immediately following graduation, Mr. Parker entered into the US Marine Corps serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II
.
After World War II, Parker moved briefly to Danville, Virginia
, and then to Seneca, South Carolina
. His political career began in Oconee County, South Carolina where he served on the Seneca City Council and the County Board of School Trustees. He would eventually go on to be elected to the South Carolina State Senate, serving as the senator from Oconee County (where his hometown, Seneca, is located). He was a State Senator from 1956 to 1966 where he had a large part in the creation of the technical education system in South Carolina. He also owned and operated Oconee Daries, a milk processing plant serving the Golden Corner of South Carolina.
He is probably best remembered for his efforts to become the first elected Republican U.S. Senator (Senator Strom Thurmond won the 1962 senate election running as a Democrat, in 1964 he switched to the Republican Party) from South Carolina since Reconstruction. That endeavor was attempted during the Special Election of 1966, which followed the death of Senator Olin D. Johnston
(Dem. SC). In that election, Mr. Parker (Rep. SC) challenged Governor
Ernest Hollings
(Dem. SC), who ended up winning the election in a very narrow race. Two years later, then U.S. Senator Hollings (Dem. SC) would go on to defeat Marshall Parker in the regularly scheduled 1968 senate election by a comfortable margin.
The U.S. Senate defeats notwithstanding, Marshall Parker remained committed to the newly invigorated South Carolina Republican Party, and the National Republican Party. He ran for Congress from SC's Third District but was defeated. In later years, Marshall Parker would accept offers to serve as a member of the senior leadership at the Small Business Administration
(better known as the SBA) under Presidents Nixon and Reagan.
Following his years of public service, Marshall Parker retired to his farm in Oconee County where he raised beef cattle. Mr. Parker was active even in retirement. He was a member of VFW
and American Legion
and a former member of Seneca Lions, Sertoma and Rotary Clubs. He was a former member of the Board of Trustees and past president of the Capital Foundation of Tri-County Technical College, Pendleton, SC, where the auditorium is named in his honor. Marshall Parker was a lifelong Methodist and served in many capacities in his local church and for his Conference. Mr. Parker was always accompanied by his life companion and wife, of 65 years, Martha Parker. Together they had four daughters, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and an old Ford Tractor.
Marshall Parker died November 15, 2008 at Oconee Medical Center in Seneca SC, after a year of declining health.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Born in Seaboard, North Carolina
Seaboard, North Carolina
Seaboard is a town in Northampton County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 695 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Seaboard is located at ....
, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
(class of 1944). In his first year of college, Mr. Parker was awarded with the Freshmen Athlete of the Year Award. Later, he would go on to letter in boxing and football. Immediately following graduation, Mr. Parker entered into the US Marine Corps serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
After World War II, Parker moved briefly to Danville, Virginia
Danville, Virginia
Danville is an independent city in Virginia, United States, bounded by Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Caswell County, North Carolina. It was the last capital of the Confederate States of America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Danville with Pittsylvania county for...
, and then to Seneca, South Carolina
Seneca, South Carolina
Seneca is a city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Seneca Micropolitan Statistical Area Seneca is a city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is...
. His political career began in Oconee County, South Carolina where he served on the Seneca City Council and the County Board of School Trustees. He would eventually go on to be elected to the South Carolina State Senate, serving as the senator from Oconee County (where his hometown, Seneca, is located). He was a State Senator from 1956 to 1966 where he had a large part in the creation of the technical education system in South Carolina. He also owned and operated Oconee Daries, a milk processing plant serving the Golden Corner of South Carolina.
He is probably best remembered for his efforts to become the first elected Republican U.S. Senator (Senator Strom Thurmond won the 1962 senate election running as a Democrat, in 1964 he switched to the Republican Party) from South Carolina since Reconstruction. That endeavor was attempted during the Special Election of 1966, which followed the death of Senator Olin D. Johnston
Olin D. Johnston
Olin DeWitt Talmadge Johnston was a Democratic Party politician from the US state of South Carolina. He served as the 98th Governor of South Carolina, 1935–1939 and 1943–1945, and represented the state in the United States Senate from 1945 until his death in 1965.-Early Life, Military Involvement,...
(Dem. SC). In that election, Mr. Parker (Rep. SC) challenged Governor
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
Ernest Hollings
Ernest Hollings
Ernest Frederick "Fritz" Hollings served as a Democratic United States Senator from South Carolina from 1966 to 2005, as well as the 106th Governor of South Carolina and Lt. Governor . He served 38 years and 55 days in the Senate, which makes him the 8th-longest-serving Senator in history...
(Dem. SC), who ended up winning the election in a very narrow race. Two years later, then U.S. Senator Hollings (Dem. SC) would go on to defeat Marshall Parker in the regularly scheduled 1968 senate election by a comfortable margin.
The U.S. Senate defeats notwithstanding, Marshall Parker remained committed to the newly invigorated South Carolina Republican Party, and the National Republican Party. He ran for Congress from SC's Third District but was defeated. In later years, Marshall Parker would accept offers to serve as a member of the senior leadership at the Small Business Administration
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...
(better known as the SBA) under Presidents Nixon and Reagan.
Following his years of public service, Marshall Parker retired to his farm in Oconee County where he raised beef cattle. Mr. Parker was active even in retirement. He was a member of VFW
VFW
VFW may refer to:*Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke*Veterans of Foreign Wars*Veterans of Future Wars*Video for Windows*VFW Parkway...
and American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
and a former member of Seneca Lions, Sertoma and Rotary Clubs. He was a former member of the Board of Trustees and past president of the Capital Foundation of Tri-County Technical College, Pendleton, SC, where the auditorium is named in his honor. Marshall Parker was a lifelong Methodist and served in many capacities in his local church and for his Conference. Mr. Parker was always accompanied by his life companion and wife, of 65 years, Martha Parker. Together they had four daughters, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and an old Ford Tractor.
Marshall Parker died November 15, 2008 at Oconee Medical Center in Seneca SC, after a year of declining health.