Robert Manley Parker

Robert Manley Parker (October 19, 1937 – August 27, 2020) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Early life and education

Born in Longview, Texas, Parker grew up in Hallsville, Texas and was named class president of his class at Hallsville High School. After high school, Parker entered Kilgore College before entering the United States Naval Academy. He returned to Texas in 1958, got married and began taking classes part-time at East Texas Baptist University and Abilene Christian University.

Professional career

Parker worked in private legal practice in Gilmer, Texas from 1964 until 1965, and then in his native Longview in 1965. From 1965 until 1966, he worked as an administrative assistant to United States Representative Ray Roberts. He then worked in private law practice in Longview from 1966 until 1971, in private legal practice in Fort Worth from 1971 until 1972, and back in Longview as a partner in the firm Nichols & Parker from 1972 until joining the federal bench in 1979.