Parker Traynham Topping

Parker Traynham Topping, 61, of Poquoson, Va., son of the late Larry and Gaye Topping of Poquoson, Virginia born September 19, 1962, in Newport News, Virginia lost his long courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024.

He is survived by his children: Hannah, Katherine, Parker Jr., and Grace: Brothers; Larry (Diane), Wallace (Kim), and William (Jolyn): Nieces; Kendall, Samantha, Amanda, and Mary Katherine; Nephews; William, Trevor, Trent, and Davis Topping; Grandchildren; Noah, Emily, and Isaac.

Parker was a 1980 Graduate of Poquoson High School,  a 1985 Graduate of Elon College, and a proud member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Parker developed a love of basketball after attending North Carolina basketball camps as a youth, and that love developed and grew throughout the rest of his life. He coached Youth basketball in Poquoson for many years and loved all his players like they were his own. He was awarded the Poquoson High School Order of the Bullpen in 2022. He also helped coach High School & JV basketball at Poquoson & Grafton until he could not continue any longer. He was a lifelong Carolina basketball fan.

He had many lifelong friends, but Henry Ayer was truly a Godsend for Parker and provided him with so many wonderful trips to see the Eagles, and many other bands during the last few years. They both referred to those trips as the Cancer Tour. Those trips and Henry’s steadfast support made the last few years of Parker’s life very special and always provided him with the encouragement to carry on.

A memorial service will be held at Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Poquoson, Virginia on Friday, March 8th at 2 p.m. followed by a reception in the Church Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Parker’s memory to the Jimmy V Foundation: https://www.v.org/home/

The Topping Family would like to sincerely thank the Poquoson Community for their tremendous outpouring of love and support during Parker’s long fight with this disease, and a profound thanks to the Virginia Cancer Institute, especially Dr. Sharon Goble, for their extraordinary care of Parker for the last five years.

*One of Parker’s last requests was that anyone who would like to, can wear Carolina Blue or North Carolina Tar Heel colors, or casual clothing. 

Arrangements and heartfelt guidance through Claytor Rollins Funeral Home.
Online condolences to claytorrollins.com 

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