Parker C. Coble

Parker C. Coble, age 81, of Gettysburg, also known as the “Nutty Professor”, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020 surrounded by love at his daughter’s home. He was born November 15, 1939 in Gettysburg, the son of late Garnet N., Sr. and Edna M. (Kline) Coble of Aspers, PA. Parker graduated from Biglerville High School in 1958, where he starred on the football team winning the only two championships ever in 1957 and also in 1958. He then went on to Shippensburg University where he studied Elementary Education and starred in track, graduating in 1962. From there Parker went on to teach at several school districts including Dallastown, Biglerville, and Fairfield. During those years he helped coach football and developed the first track at Fairfield where he was also the track coach. He was then hired by Adams County setting up Migrant Education Programs which was run through Shippensburg University and later by LIU becoming the Director of Migrant Education assisting in many other states. Parker testified many times before Congress where he was also asked by a congressman from another state to choose a little girl who was a migrant worker to light the Christmas tree in Washington, DC. Parker gave tours to many congressmen from DC of the factories and farms in Adams County. In 1998, he was awarded the first award ever given as the Outstanding School Administrator in the US. Parker was instrumental in the development of English for Speakers of other languages as a Second Language Program which is still widely used today. He started the ESOL in Adams County along with other counties as well in PA. After devoting his working years to education, Parker retired and his passion for fruit and nut growing became his full-time job. Parker grew over 250 cultivars of nuts on his three beloved properties in Fairfield, Gettysburg and Faulks Run, VA known by family as “Gramps Camp”. He was a dedicated competitor at the PA Farm Show where he won Grand Champion and Best of Show on many occasions. He was also President of the PA Nut Grower’s Association and on the Board of Apple Museums in Biglerville for many years. His latest passion before his passing was sharing his wisdom to the younger generation whom influenced him to begin submitting his nuts for genetic sequencing (DNA) at Notre Dame University and also helping with projects at Rutgers University to create more disease resistant cultivars. He hosted Mr. Fred Rogers, from the Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Show, once for the Migrant Program and once at Parkers Orchard where he grew nuts. Parker Coble changed thousands of lives during his career from coast to coast. He is survived by his wife Sandra K. (Woodward) Coble; son, Brian Coble; daughter, Kay and husband Scott Cool; siblings, Garnet N. “Sonny” Coble, Jr., Jane and husband Richard Hartzel, Marie and husband Jim Quesinberry, and grandchildren Chelsea and husband Thomas McMaster and Tanner Cool. Professional services are entrusted to Dugan Funeral Home, Inc., 111 S. Main Street, Bendersville. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family has decided to keep the celebration of his life private at this time. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Parker Coble to Pennsylvania Nut Growers Association, 55 Fidler Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or by simply planting a tree in his remembrance.