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 Cliff
Parker was a former boys' and girls' track and field coach at
Aliquippa High School and an educator. His ultimate mission in life
was serving others as a religious leader. Ordained an elder in 1963,
at the Church in the Round, he was especially active in visiting the
sick in hospitals or shut-ins at their homes.
Parker used the communication skills he learned as an elder and Man
of God, not only to coach his athletes, but to be an outstanding
example and role model for his teams. He was the only father figure
many of his student-athletes from single parent households ever had
in their lives. His influence continues to touch the lives of those
who worked with and ran for him.
He also had the rare ability to make something out of nothing. For
instance, those familiar with Aliquippa’s track program know that
unlike the other ones in Beaver County, The Aliquippa school
district did not have a track upon which to train its team members.
Not withstanding, Coach Parker – a world class hurdler in his own
right – was able to impart that which he knew in innovative ways
that made his "Road Show" one of the most successful track and field
programs in the tri-state area. Year after year, he developed his
team’s talents and they would go on to distinguish themselves at
local, invitational, district and state track meets.
Parker was a graduate of Huntington High School in Newport News
Virginia. He received his Bachelors degree in 1956 from Virginia
State. He began teaching at Aliquippa in 1963. While no one seems to
know when he actually began coaching the track team, no one can
remember when Parker wasn’t coaching the track team.
Due to the absence of a track, Coach Parker’s teams did not win many
overall team competitions, however his total track program and
athletes were recognized as one of the best and most competitive
throughout Beaver County and Western Pennsylvania.
Mr. Parker is survived by his wife LuVerda and son C.J. Parker Jr.
Interestingly, Mr Parker’s obituary in 1999, lists two other adopted
sons, Vernon Brown and Mike "General" Mealer. Both are graduates of
Aliquippa High School and weren’t officially adopted. They were just
so fond of their coach they wanted to be known as his son. As were
many of his other students. They just didn’t get into his obituary. |
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