Tommy Thurston Parker, age 69 of Cornelia, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Born in Rabun County on January 12, 1947, he was a son of the late Thomas Brown Parker and Ruby Nell Wall Parker. Mr. Parker was retired from Windstream Communications with 42 years of service. He was of the Baptist faith and served his country proudly in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, having been stationed in Saigon during the Tet Offensive. Tommy was an avid University of Georgia football fan and enjoyed the outdoors and gardening. He also enjoyed walking in downtown Cornelia with his dog, Ollie. Surviving are wife of 46 years, Anita L. Parker of Cornelia; son and daughter-in-law, Andy & Monica Parker of Mt. Airy; daughter, Kelly Parker of Brookhaven; grandchildren, Clay, Carson, and Cole Parker; sisters and brothers-in-law, Brenda & Tim Greene and Judy & David Porter all of Cornelia. Funeral services are 2:00 pm Sunday, May 22, 2016, at the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart with Rev. Terry Rice and Dr. Kenneth Franklin officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens with military honors provided the United States Army. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-8 pm Saturday. An online guest register is available for the Parker family and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706) 778-8668 is in charge of arrangements.