Career
Parker was an all around track and field athlete from Lamoni High School in Lamoni, Iowa. In 1933, Parker fell three points shy of winning the Iowa state high school team championship single handedly, winning six events at the state finals. He was invited to the National High School Championships held in Chicago, where he placed second in the long jump behind another high school star of his day, Jesse Owens.
Parker was recruited to Sacramento City College, where he was coached by Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Weldon.