Paris Goes To War

War came Paris, Texas on December 7, 1941. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent declarations of war of the Axis countries of Japan, Germany and Italy against The United States brought World War II literally to the doorsteps of Paris.

The U.S. response to war hit Paris like a tidal wave and the results were everlasting.

This small East Texas town responded as hundreds of small towns across America did. Its sons, daughters and citizens joined the war effort.

But Paris began to develop its own uniqueness with the opening of Camp Maxey just a few miles north of the city limits in 1942. Two major divisions, the 102d Infantry Division and the 99th Infantry Division, trained there. It is estimated that over 200,000 troops and civilians trained and worked at Camp Maxey during its short 4 years of existance.

Camp Maxey was also selected as a site, as were many other training camp sites in Texas, to house German prisoners-of-war. More than 6,000 Germans were hosted there until well after the last shots of anger were fired in Europe in 1945.

Paris, as was the whole country, was like a stirred pot. The young men and women who came to Camp Maxey to train spent their leaves in town. Many of them met, courted, and married local men and women. Likewise, Paris sons and daughters who left were meeting their future spouses. The long historic ties that had held Paris together as a tight community were stretched around the world.

To and from Paris the letters streamed in and out from friends and families: from the battle fronts, from far-away hometowns, from Washington D.C., to Europe, to The Pacific and literally all points of the globe.

Sad news of soldiers being killed, exciting news of the birth of a new baby, common news about town gossip all swirlled around this small town of Paris. Paris was making its contribution to march the country toward victory.

In 1941 Paris Goes To War.


How To Add A Story & Pictures To Paris Goes To War

If you have stories, pictures or items of interest to contribute to these web pages, please email them to steelyfamilias@yahoo.com. You can send written articles in doc or pdf formats and pictures are preferred in jpg format. Contributions will be posted according the their relevance to Paris, Lamar County, Camp Maxey and World War II. All contributions may be used on these blog web pages as well as any future publications that may appear on the subject.

Monday, June 11, 2018

In Memory of Robert L. Parker, 360th Field Artillery, 102nd Infantry Division


Robert Lynn Parker, 84, of Paris passed away April 15, 2008 at Spring Lake Assisted Living and had been a resident of Paris since 1951. He was born on December 12, 1923 in Rotan, Texas a son of Tom Holmsley Parker and Thelma McCombs Parker. Robert graduated from Texas A&M with a B.S. degree in Agriculture. He was a veteran of World War II in the 360th Field Artillery of 102nd Infantry Division attaining the rank of 1st Lt. with 3 bronze stars.

Mr. Parker was past president of Paris Milling Company and Texas Sesame Growers, had been a member of the State Republican Executive Com., past president of Texas Grain & Feed. He was chosen as outstanding boss of Paris & Lamar County and was featured in Who?s Who in American Politics.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he served on the administrative board, was finance chairman, pastor parish relations com., and was a member of the Couples Class. For several years he taught Jr. Hi Sunday School Class. Robert was a longtime member of the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow, Chamber of Commerce, past director of Liberty National Bank, had served on the school board, and was a member of Paris Golf and Country Club.

He is survived by his spouse Dorothy Parker whom he married on October 31, 1943 in Roby, Texas; children Lynnda Jenkins and husband Jarrell of Lubbock, Julie Parker of Arlington, and Bob Parker of Houston; grandchildren Lance Lokey, Kristie Franklin and husband Bill of Lubbock, Kasie McNeese and husband Shane of Mart; great grandchildren Campbell Franklin, Kaleb McNeese, and Charley Ann McNeese; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Worth and sister Frances.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Thursday in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Rev. Van Lazaroff and Rev. Ray Starnes officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery with Phillip Cecil, Homer Thornton, Frank Ray, Lance Lokey, Jarrell Jenkins, and Don McCaskill serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Rotary Club and Couples Class of First United Methodist Church. Family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. till 7:00 P.M. Wednesday the funeral home.

If desired memorials maybe made to the First United Methodist Church 322 Lamar Avenue Paris, Texas 75460.
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