George Benton Parker

George Benton Parker, 21, died at Soin Hospital following tragic circumstances at his home in Fairborn, Ohio, on May 15, 2019. Georgie, as he was affectionately called by family and friends, was born in May of 1997, in Xenia, Ohio, to George Nelson Parker III and Wendy (Benton) Parker.

Georgie was a kind, sweet child. He loved his family and had almost as many “chosen” family members as actual blood relatives. His Great Aunt Nanci Ventura was very special to him. He cherished his Gpa and Grandma Parker and spent many, many weekends fishing with his Nana, Susan Benton Sandberg.

Georgie very much loved his fireworks mentor, Chad Zechar and looked forward to the camaraderie with the pyrotechnics crew he and his dad worked each 4th of July season. Chad always called Georgie “Forge” – because he wasn’t actually George IV, but he was the fourth George in the immediate family line. “Forge” loved Chad like a big brother and spent some of the best times in his life being screamed at by Chad, and loving every minute of it.

He graduated high school from Greenon High School in Springfield, Ohio. He tried a stint at Sinclair Community College, and decided he didn’t think college was for him. Always praised as a reliable hard worker, Georgie never had trouble finding and keeping a job. He was very thankful for Richard “Butch” Barnes, who gave him his first a part-time job in the law office and was always there for him when he needed help or advice. (He loved you, Butch, and he really respected you.)

Georgie is survived by his parents, George and Wendy Parker; his sister Marcie Parker; paternal grandparents George Nelson Parker Jr. and Carolyn (Woodcock) Parker; maternal grandparents Susan (Berrie) Sandberg and Tracy Sandberg; great uncle Mike Parker, uncles, Jeffery Parker; uncle Lehi Benton and wife Shemarie; uncle William Gray Benton and wife, Janet; cousin Blake Benton, who was more like a brother spending nearly every childhood weekend together. He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Rex Perry Benton.

The mixture of a toxic relationship that fostered drug abuse led up to the night he died and leaves his family with a hole in our collective heart and looking to authorities for answers – none of which will ease the pain of our loss.

Georgie’s chance of escaping the circumstances that ultimately led to his death, never came to be. Instead of the medical community intervening when the opportunity presented itself, he was released back into the cruel world. Family and friends tried throwing him every life line possible and even when he showed signs of coming back to us, it didn’t happen. In his honor, we will make it our mission that no other family feels as helpless and shortchanged by the mental health laws in saving a loved one as we do.

The family is planning a private celebration of life, with interment of his ashes to be determined at a later date. In lieu of flowers, hug your kids. Take them to the movies. Go for a walk. Make sure they always remember the light, whatever it may be, in their times of darkness.

Arrangements in care of Morris Sons Funeral Home - Fairborn, OH.  Online condolences may be shared with the family at Morris-Sons.com

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