The family and friends of the late John Bradford ‘JB’ Parker are establishing the JB Parker Memorial Music Scholarship at Glenville State College in his memory.

Parker, 48, of Weston, West Virginia died in a single vehicle accident on Interstate 79 near Clendenin, West Virginia on January 17, 2010. He is survived by his wife Mary Jane Pascasio Parker, sons Joel and Jordan, and daughter Jamie. A native of Lewis County, Parker was a well-known musician and Democratic political activist. ‘JB’ grew up in a musical family and music was an integral part of his life. He was an accomplished vocalist and musician. He played several stringed instruments with the guitar being his favorite. Parker was the emcee for a number of years for the West Virginia State Folk Festival in Glenville, West Virginia. He also emceed or co-emceed the Stonewall Jackson Heritage Arts and Crafts Jubilee and portions of the Clifftop Festival held at Camp Washington Carver for several years.

After graduating from Lewis County High School in 1979, Parker attended Glenville State College prior to joining the United States Navy. Several members of Parker’s immediate and extended family are GSC Alumni. His brother Kenneth Stephen Parker is a ’77 GSC Graduate, and Steve’s wife Tamela Tuell Parker is a GSC ’78 graduate. Another brother, William Andrew Parker graduated from GSC in ’80, and his wife Cynde Marsh Parker is a ’78 GSC graduate. JB’s sister Kennetha Parker-Howes graduated from GSC in ’80.

The JB Parker Memorial Music Scholarship will be awarded to a student in the Glenville State College Music Department. Administered by the GSC Foundation, the scholarship will first be awarded after a $10,000 fund has been established.

Donations to the JB Parker Memorial Music Scholarship fund should be mailed to the Glenville State College Foundation, 200 High Street, Glenville, WV 26351. Checks should be made out to the JB Parker Memorial Music Scholarship.

For more information, contact Rebecca Baldwin, GSC Adjunct English faculty member and ’89 GSC graduate, at bbecky10@aol.com or (304) 462-7882.