Sept. 1 - 7, 2017
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996
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The cross on the side of the road Twenty-one years after his murder, Skipper Parker’s mother shares the story behind her son’s cross by PAGE PARKER, guest writer
Photos courtes of Page Parker
(Above) To make it more visible to passersby, Page Parker visits this site along N.C. 68 each year on the anniversary of her son’s death and refreshes it with new flowers and white spray paint. She said the cross, which marks the spot where her son died, was placed there by a stranger who she later met. (Inset) Skipper Parker was 19 when he was murdered on Aug. 2, 1996.
We have all noticed crosses scattered along the sides of our highways and byways. The lone memorials that pass our peripheral space for a brief moment may peak our curiosity. What we can assume is that a tragic, sudden death has taken a loved one – forever. Located on N.C. 68 North, between Old Bryan Boulevard and Pleasant Ridge Road, stands my son Skipper’s rugged, white cross. If you travel
that route, even once daily, you’ve passed it approximately 7,700 times since Aug. 2, 1996. If you are local, you may know its history. If not, your assumption would be that a fatal traffic accident occurred there. Yes, a truck left the highway, hit a tree, and continued into what was then deeper brush. But my son, at age 19, died there from a fatal gunshot wound, a vicious homicide that would shatter his entire family. The first few days immediately following Skipper’s death were filled with unspeakable anguish and despair. The preparation for a funeral and meetings
with homicide detectives were simultaneous. With murder, there is no escaping this miserable duality. Skipper’s father, Joe, and I were immediately propelled into a media blitz of painful on-air and news article reporting. As we bared our raw souls to everyone, I thought that we would get some answers. Little did I know that 21 years later, I would still be baring my soul … and still be looking for answers. The effects of our son’s murder exacerbated Joe’s lengthy history of poor health (heart disease, hypertension and insulin
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Town manager says farewell after nearly 15 years Bruce Oakley served as Town’s first administrator, manager by PATTI STOKES OAK RIDGE – Bruce Oakley worked his last day as town manager on Aug. 30. He left behind a long trail of notes, files and reminders – and a mountain of well wishes from citizens, co-workers and town council members. “In preparing to leave, I’m trying to recall contacts that Bill (Bruce, planning director) and Sandra (Smith, town clerk) will need when I’m gone so they will be ready to handle whatever comes up,” Oakley said a few days before turn-
ing in his keys to Town Hall. Bruce and Smith will temporarily serve as co-town managers.
IN THIS ISSUE
“I’ve been discussing things with them and giving insight,” Oakley said. “I have complete confidence in their abilities.” Oakley was an urban planner with Guilford County in 2002 when he occasionally filled in for Roger Bardsley, a fellow county planner contracted to provide planning services to Oak Ridge. The two men later worked with community volunteers to create the Town’s first land use plan. At the encouragement of former Mayor Tom Brown, Oakley applied for and was sub-
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Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO
News in Brief ...................... 3 Your Questions .................. 4 Pets & Critters .................... 7 Charlie & me ..................... 8 Pet Adoptions.................... 9 Youth/School news .........11 High School Sports ..........13 Bits & Pieces .................... 22 Community Calendar .... 23 Crime/Incident Report ... 24 Grins & Gripes ................. 25 Classifieds ....................... 27 Index of Advertisers ........31