The Reverend H. David Parker: An Elmont community hero

Whether it was during his time in the military or his service to the town of Elmont, the Reverend H. David Parker made his mark in the hearts of all those he was around. He died of a heart attack on Saturday, Jan. 3, in Sinai Hospital in Baltimore at the age of 93.

H. David Parker served in the military for 20 years, starting in 1942 and retiring in October of 1962 before coming to Elmont. Once there he started his career as the fifth Pastor of Emanuel Baptist Church in Elmont. Many considered him the dean of religious leaders on Long Island, according to Jeanette Alston of Emanuel. An example of his work as a religious role model includes his founding of the Nassau Council of Black Clergy in 1972, which he led as president for three years. “He was not only a very vocal, but thorough and eloquent speaker,” said Parker’s brother-in-law, William Garnett. “He always had that military flare about him.”

Garnett went on to discuss how Parker was a unique type of preacher because of his military background. He was already viewed as a World War II hero and upon his arrival to the church he was able to gradually become the strong-willed, modern-minded pastor who did so much for his church and community.

In addition to his work with Emanuel, Parker contributed to the renewal and betterment of Nassau County. He founded and organized the Jamaica Square Improvement League of Elmont in 1964. This, along with other community projects Parker took part in, appropriated $1,287,000 for improvement to the Jamaica Square/Elmont area. Garnett discussed how Parker would walk the streets with county officials pointing out everything he felt needed to be addressed or improved.

He was able to bring sewers to the Elmont area in the late 1950s and provide welfare families with private homes among other beneficial improvements. In 1974 he received the “International Who’s Who in Community Services Award” and in 1979 he was appointed chairman of Nassau County Interracial Task Force. Other recognitions include the renaming of Hendrickson Avenue to H. David Parker Avenue in 2001 and the “Rosa Parks Civil Rights Award” he received in 2006. In 2008 he retired from Emanuel Church after serving for 45 years.

“We have been apart for a while. I’m old, I’m 83,” said Alma Bowie, Parker’s sister. “But he was always there for me whenever he could be.” This was a shared sentiment among most of the people Parker crossed paths with. Garnett described Parker as somebody who could make anybody feel respected and heard just by talking to them. “When I came back from Vietnam and was hospitalized he would talk to me about whatever was on my mind,” said Garnett. “A lot of guys couldn’t say they knew someone like that.”