Parker Reed Kurzawa

"Soar High Angel Boy"

Parker Reed Kurzawa, 32, of Swansboro, North Carolina, passed away on January 26, 2024.

From the minute Parker Reed Kurzawa was born on March 8, 1991, at 10 lbs., 14 ozs., he was admired by all of the infant ward nurses and doctors at Raleigh Community Hospital. A nurse made a cute comment while he lay in his bassinet and said the song "Bad to the Bone" was meant for this beautiful baby. The doctor that delivered Parker on that day stated, "Oh My, It's a Baby Walrus."

Throughout his beautiful life, Parker distinguished himself as a "Natural Born Athlete." He was a champion in every sport he played, from running back in football to making the high school basketball team in the 9th grade. During his time playing baseball, he was picked each year to play on the All-Star Team. He was the pitcher and became known by the nickname, "Fast Ball." He received the Presidential Award in Physical Fitness every year of his elementary and middle school years and received many first-place ribbons on his swim team for breaststroke and free style, always highlighted in the local newspaper. Parker loved horses and decided he wanted to try a hand at English riding and won many blue ribbons at his competitions. He was asked to ride his beloved horse "Dutchess" to lead the Cleveland Township July 4th parade in front of the Grand Marshalls. Dutchess was admired by so many at Cleveland Elementary School, that when a mural was to be painted at the entry of the new school, the artist painted a mural 0f Dutchess, which remains there to this day. Parker later realized how good he was at playing golf and decided to choose it as his favorite sport, playing golf for his high school team and then later his college team.

There really wasn't much Parker couldn't do well, including playing chess and pool. At age 21, he organized a card game as host every Tuesday night, preparing dinner for all the card participants and being the Blackjack dealer and, of course, getting a cut of all monies paid in to play!

Parker studied Horticultural at NC State University and had dreams of being a "Greens Keeper." Once he realized that "Greens Keepers" do not make a lot of money, he decided to pursue a career where he could still be outside all day. His first job was as a Project Manager at age 25 with a prominent construction company. He later decided he wanted his own business and at age 28, he started his own company, PRK & Associates, LLC, a professional granite top company.

During Parker's life, he loved sport fishing and hunting. He was part of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, North Carolina. When he visited his grandparents in Aspen, Colorado, he fly fished and caught rainbow trout. Parker loved riding motorbikes with his young friends, Victor and Derrick. Parker loved the ocean. He fished and crabbed with his best friends, Todd, Topper, Kenny, and Bryant. These boys were like brothers to Parker and had fun cooking their catch. He especially loved cleaning scallops and giving his Mama some.

A very special day for Parker was when he saved a man's life on the Intracoastal Waterway in Swansboro, North Carolina. After seeing the man go overboard and unable to swim, Parker jumped from his boat and got the man to shore. He was very proud of that moment.

Parker is survived by his mother, Pamela Kurzawa Donson and father, William Robert Kurzawa, his very beloved brothers Tyler Patterson Kurzawa and William Kramer Kurzawa and wife Tasha Kurzawa, and his Grandpa Robert Kurzawa. He also was very loved by his Uncle Jay Parker.

He was a great guy who treated others with respect regardless of their status in life. Charming, sweet, handsome, and kind, Parker is not someone easily forgotten.

Rest in Peace our Precious Angel and may we all aspire to live life as fully as you did. The world has now changed, but we will go on knowing that is the way you would want it to be. Just not ever the same without YOU.

PARKER IS WAITING FOR US AND WHEN WE ALL GET THERE SOME DAY, HE WILL BE SMILING AND SAY "SON, I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW...WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT WE GOT GOING ON UP IN HERE"!

To honor his life and memory, we invite you to a golf tournament on March 29, 2025. The Parker Kurzawa Memorial Tournament will be at the Cardinal Country Club in Selma. Proceeds of the tournament will benefit the South Johnston High School Athletic Department. Please contact the Cardinal Country Club at (919) 284-3647 if you would like to participate in the tournament.

Following the tournament, the family invites everyone to a special event to celebrate Parker's beautiful life. The event will be from 5 PM - 10:30 PM at The Barn at Broadslab, 4676 NC Highway 50 South, Benson, NC 27504.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC.