Benjamin Joseph Parker

Benjamin Joseph Parker was born on November 2nd, 1972 in Minnesota, the second child to his parents, Guy and Darlene. He spent his childhood there - riding bikes, swimming and fishing in the summers, sledding and stacking firewood in the winters and picking up sticks all year long. As he grew, he loved Star Wars, listening to music, and annoying (torturing) his sisters, Julianne and Jessica. When he shot Juli with the BB gun in the backside after she’d proven to be a better shot, he could truly claim it was an accident. A happy accident for him, no doubt, until he was punished for it. He loved drawing weird and cartoonish monsters and listening to The Dr. Demento Show. Ben often reminisced about his large collection of Star Wars action figures that had been passed down to another boy when he “outgrew” it and his most loved Christmas gift - a large Godzilla toy from his Grandma and Grandpa Parker. Decades later, he would begin collecting action figures again.

Ben met Chloe in Louisville, Kentucky in the summer of 1993 and they married young, just a year later. Together, they had three children - Holden, Emeline, and Owen. They were his greatest source of pride.

For most of his life, Ben owned his own masonry business. While it was hard work, he excelled at his craft and used it as a creative outlet for his artistic abilities. Some of the most meticulous and unique masonry projects in the Clarksville area were the result of his craftsmanship and imagination.

Ben mostly kept to himself when it came to people and expressed his love primarily through care of his property, the nature that thrived there and any animal that made its home there (or even just passed through.) He was known for his fondness of nature and love of animals. It was not uncommon for him to come home from work with a stray animal that he had rescued, and throughout his life he obtained many (most) of his pets this way. He could often be found coming inside from doing yard work nursing an injured bird, chipmunk, or even a frog. He abundantly cared for the five house cats - all of which were rescues. He always kept his bird feeder full and ensured a steady supply of corn and nuts for the crows that he patiently tried to make friends with - crows before bros. His love of cats and birds were sometimes at odds and anytime a cat caught a bird it pained him. Ben would never willingly accept the circle of life. In recent years, he taught himself gardening and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor, especially Black Krim tomatoes which made the best BLTs and were his summertime favorite. He loved taking Scout, the family dog, on walks or “sits” as they became when Scout decided she’d rather not make the loop at the park. Ben didn’t mind. It was a good excuse to be with her and to be outside.

Some of our favorite family memories involve being in nature - camping, hiking, flying kites, building sandcastles and maybe even picking up sticks because parents always seem to carry on even the most annoying traditions from their past. Ben also loved football - watching it, teaching it, playing it and yes, complaining about it. He often said he was cursed to be a Minnesota Vikings fan. In spite of thinking this was “their year” several times in his lifetime, that year never came, but his son, Owen, will carry the torch. Ben also passed down his love for video games, Medieval fantasy and good music, all of which will remain as reminders to his family and friends that there is joy and fun to be had in life.

Ben passed away peacefully in the hospital in the early morning hours of March 11, 2026 surrounded by family. He is survived by Chloe, his wife of 31 years; his children - Holden (Ben Myrick), Emeline and Owen; his parents, Guy and Darlene Parker; his sisters Julianne Parker and Jessica Parker; and his beloved cats - Mike, Matt, Ralph, Henry and Pearl.

His memory and impact will be seen in the lives’ of all who have loved him.

Please visit Benjamin's tribute wall and share a memory with the family.