JAMES ELGIN 'J.E.' PARKER

Mitch Albom says it best with his expression on loss and enduring love- "Death ends a life, not a relationship."

James Elgin "J.E." Parker crossed the rainbow bridge from his home in Charleston, MO, at 4:43 p.m., Monday, January 12, 2026, surrounded by those who love him most.

With an estimated birth date of April 7, 2013, this beautiful, brown German Shorthair pointer (with a touch of Lab), would settle at the home of Terry Parker and his sister, Leslie Parker, on September 27, 2014, after having run loose throughout Charleston for quite some time.

J.E. was vetted and prepared for rescue when he escaped from the place he was being kept and returned to 802 E. Cypress in Charleston, just hours after being taken into their care.  Almost 2 miles away -and much to Terry and Leslie's shock.    It was then he received the name of James Elgin, after their dad, James Parker and a very important figure in their life, Elgin McMikle. (Scott Riley helped settle on that name).   The next 11 or so years were filled with nothing but love, adventure and amusement.

You cannot change a dog's past, but you can rewrite their future. In reality, they rewrite yours. It was not an easy transition to become owners of a growing and vivacious dog after having owned only cats.   J.E. loved to run and Terry could often be seen chasing him or even giving up and walking back home to get the car to bring him home.  Sometimes Terry would stay with him and call Leslie to bring the car, sort of an Uber service that J.E. so enjoyed. One time it was decided Terry wanted to get outdoor fall photos made. Afterall, all of the other families were doing it. It all went well until J.E. took off.    Melinda Heaton, aka "Auntie M" went from photographer to race car driver as she navigated the alleys to help catch J.E.  So, excitement came from many directions almost daily.

J.E. loved to walk all hours of the day and night.  That started mainly because of Terry's work.  Often being on call for the funeral home and as county coroner, when Terry would return home, he would have to take J.E. for a walk in order to return to bed.    They quickly became best friends with all the Charleston Police officers, and even a couple of neighbor highway patrolmen, who throughout the years would also look after their safety.

To say J.E. was in charge is an understatement.  If Terry were out of town, it would take Leslie hours, sometimes days, to get him to get out of the house to walk. Leslie is such an important part of J.E.'s daily life from day one.

J.E. was a lover of Hequembourg Park and enjoyed chasing the ducks.  He loved it when the piano was played in the living room and would lay under it as Terry practiced or taught piano or gave voice lessons. He especially loved getting the attention of all the students that came through the home.   One instance, a person was practicing performing for a large event, and every time they started singing, J.E. squeaked his toy, in great disdain of the voice he was hearing.  J.E. was also an on-target weather forecaster.  Anytime he got a bath it was sure going to rain for days.

Loving survivors include his dad, Terry Allen Parker and his aunt, Leslie D. Parker; special family members include Scott Branam and his dog, Maggie; aunts, Mary Ann Parker and Pam Parker Black as well as close friends, Charles McGinness, John and Julie Walton and Mr. Keith Cook.

He was preceded in death by his feline siblings, Arland, Arbie, Lena June, Harvey, Harry Orval and Arlene "Pooh."

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the funeral hour at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 15, 2026, at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, MO.

Rev. Larry Potts, longtime family friend and pastor of the Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center at Cairo, IL and Rev. Paullester Walker, pastor of United Methodist Church of Charleston, will officiate. A reading will be shared by close family friend, Linda Shaw Urhahn.

Music will be some of J.E.'s favorites- including a special recording of Mrs. Betty.

Interment will be private.

A debt of gratitude is forever owed to so many who have been on this wonderful journey. First and foremost, ALL of the neighbors on Cypress and Commercial Streets. Josh McKinney and Kelly Brown, who were the animal control officers, often just shaking their heads as I tried to learn the ropes of owning a dog.

J.E.'s medical care has been exceptional.  Starting with Dr. Amber Swain and then Dr. Ross Sindle, but more specifically Dr. Shane Voshage, along with Otivisit Fennell and ALL the of the amazing staff at Animal Health Center in Sikeston.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, please consider making a donation or volunteer some time at a local shelter, feed or water a stray.  You may just be the love they need to survive.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefunerlhome.com.