Ernest L Parker

Ernest L. Parker departed this life in his home with his family on Friday, January 23, 2015, after an extended respiratory illness. Born in Texas City, Texas, on July 16, 1947, Ernie is survived by mother, Joe Dean Douglas Rountree, and by his wife of 49 years, Midge Trahan Parker; his daughter, Tammy Parker Pratt, and her husband, Philip Pratt, and his son, Jamie Dean Parker, and his wife, Deanna Haydel. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Parker, Hanna Parker, Parker Pratt and Peyton Pratt. He was predeceased by his father, Ernest O. Parker, and by his sister, Deannie Seay. Raised in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, Ernie graduated from Hackberry High School in 1965. He attended Tulane University, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science. During college, Ernie played football for Tulane from 1965 to 1968. He was Team Captain for the Tulane Green Wave during his Senior year, and was recognized as Outstanding Linebacker and Defensive End. He spent a semester as a student coach. After graduating from Tulane University, Ernie coached and taught at Hackberry High School from 1970 to 1973. Ernie then attended the LSU Law School, graduating in 1976 with a Juris Doctorate degree. After law school, he and Midge returned to Lafayette to raise their family, and joined James Bean in the practice of law for many years. He was respected in the practice of law by his clients, the legal community and the judiciary for his entire legal career. Ernie made a career change when he became an owner of Campbell Wells Corporation, an oil field waste disposal company, which later was acquired by Sanifill Waste, Inc., and went public. Subsequently, Ernie was a founder and owner of the Louisiana IceGators in 1995-2001, bringing professional ice hockey to South Louisiana. The IceGators brought great enjoyment and entertainment to South Louisiana, and became a very successful franchise in the East Coast Hockey League, holding the top four regular-season average attendance numbers in league history between 1995 and 1999. The IceGators also hosted the eight largest and nine of the 10 largest post-season crowds in league history, winning division titles in eight of its ten seasons. The entertainment off of the ice brought great joy to all who attended the games. Ernie will be remembered by his many friends, clients and business colleagues as a man with a large and generous heart, helping many a friend in need in any way needed. His characterizations of others were actually most fitting of Ernie himself, a person was “extraordinary,” or a person was the “real deal.” Ernie was truly “extraordinary,” and was definitely the “real deal.” The family wishes to express their appreciation to staff of Hospice Compassus, to Dr. Wayne Lindemann and his office staff, and to Sean Hebert for their personal care and attention in providing comfort to Ernie and his family. There will be no internment services, but visitation at a Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at 4:00 to 8:30 o’clock P.M., on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Compassus, 1438 South College Road, Lafayette, LA 70503. Personal condolences may be sent to the Parker family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Ernest L Parker

July 16, 1947 - January 23, 2015