The James Houston Center for Faith and Successful Aging is honoring the life and legacy of its founder, Dr. Michael “Mike” Wayne Parker.
Parker’s lifelong work shaped how churches, communities, and professionals care for older adults and their families.
A Birmingham native, Parker devoted his life to service, scholarship, and faith-driven advocacy, helping to frame later life as a season of purpose, dignity, and continued growth.
“Dr. Parker’s commitment to older adults, caregivers, and their families was unmatched, and we are in awe of the countless ways his work has and continues to shape social work, gerontology, and senior ministries across the world. He was adamant that we think global and act local to provide caregiving in a kind and intelligent manner for everyone,” the center said in a statement.
“We will continue to honor Dr. Parker’s legacy at the Center through our work of resourcing congregations across the state of Alabama and beyond through the implementation of the AgeReady program.”
Born in 1947, Parker grew up in Birmingham in a family shaped by faith, hard work, and service—values that guided his calling to support older adults throughout his career.
He served more than two decades as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, holding clinical, research, and administrative roles in the Army Medical Department, including assignments at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Fort McClellan, and the Army War College.
According to the center and colleagues, his military service reflected a deep sense of patriotism and commitment to others, as well as strong ethical and spiritual convictions.
Parker later became a longtime faculty member at the University of Alabama School of Social Work, where he trained generations of social workers to integrate evidence-based practice with compassion and ethical integrity.
As a professor and mentor, he was known for his encouragement, thoughtful listening, and steady guidance toward hope.
Through his leadership at the James Houston Center, Parker advanced faith-based, interdisciplinary programs designed to support the spiritual, emotional, economic, and physical well-being of older adults and their caregivers.
He was a champion of faith-based initiatives that encouraged congregations to see aging as a blessing and older adults as valuable contributors to their communities.
Friends and colleagues remember Parker for his gentle humor, steadfast presence in times of need, and willingness to pray, listen, and serve.
For him, “successful aging” meant remaining engaged in meaningful service and finishing life’s journey with faith and purpose.
While his passing is felt across Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and the broader networks shaped by his work, the Center said his vision will continue through its programs and the many lives he inspired.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
