Jack Parker

This obituary is is being posted as a Courtesy to the Parker Family. Kiser Funeral Home offers our sincere condolences to the Morrison family in their time of grief. 

Jack Parker, 74, of Boise, Idaho, passed away from pancreatic cancer on September 5, 2024.

Jack was born on July 3, 1950, in Bennettsville, SC, to James Alexander Parker and Susie Earline Freeman. His passion for learning and sports led him to a career in education and coaching. He attended the University of South Carolina and Brigham Young University. Jack graduated from BYU in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts with teaching certifications in History, Health, Social Studies, and Drivers’ Education.

While at BYU, he met his loving wife, Kathleen “Kit” Bowman. On December 19, 1973, Jack and Kit were married in the Provo Utah Temple. Over their marriage, Jack and Kit were blessed with four daughters.

In 1974, Jack began his career as an educator and coach in the Boise School District at East Junior High. In 1980, Jack accepted a position at Boise High School as a U.S. History teacher, retiring in 2005. Jack’s greatest joy was coaching. He coached football at East Junior High, Boise High School, Eagle High School, and Bishop Kelly High School, and track & field at Boise High School. His love of football and coaching never ceased; he had just started another season with the BK Knights at the time of his passing. Truth be told, though, it was always football season for Jack. Over his 51-year coaching career, Jack coached nine state-championship football teams, one state-championship track team, and received countless awards and honors for teaching and coaching including the Charlie Alvaro Outstanding Service Athletic Award.

Jack had a heart of gold and profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of students, athletes, coaches, colleagues, primary kids at church, and families. He was a Christ-like friend to all those around him—continually supporting, mentoring, encouraging, and loving them to become the best versions of themselves. Jack was there on the good days and the bad days. He always had Jolly Ranchers, Hi-Chews, pound cakes, books, baby blankets, and great conversations to brighten the day. He truly blessed the lives of those around him.

Jack is survived by his wife Kit, his four daughters Libby (Jeremy) Parkinson, Kaycee (Brent) Bastian, Julie (Jake) Atkinson, and Jamie (Brent Kaschmitter) Parker, his 10 grandchildren, his mother Susie Parker, and siblings Deb Meyers and Joel Parker.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 9:00–10:30am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2290 E Warm Springs Ave, Boise, ID 83712. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am at the same location, after which Jack will be interned at Dry Creek Cemetery. A celebration of Jack will be held from 3:00-5:00pm on that same day at the Bishop Kelly Nick Ysursa Field.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been set up in Jack’s memory. Donations can be made at bk.org/donate. Please designate in the notes the “Jack and Kit Parker Family Scholarship Fund.”