Tim M. Parker Jr. has long stood as a pillar of leadership and service in West Alabama, shaping the region through his business activities, civic engagement, and dedication to community development. As Chairman of Parker Towing Company, a Tuscaloosa-based commodities transportation firm, Parker has overseen the growth of one of the Southeast’s most vital logistics enterprises, transporting bulk goods from Florida to Texas and supporting industries across the region.
A graduate of The University of Alabama in 1966, where he earned a degree in business administration and played on the basketball team, Parker later completed the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School. His early career included service as an officer in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, and five years with Lykes Brothers Steamship Company before returning to lead the family business.
Parker’s influence extends far beyond the boardroom. His civic contributions have left an indelible mark on Tuscaloosa and the broader West Alabama region. “Upon reflection, I cannot recall a time when Tim Parker Jr. was not significantly involved as one of our community’s most engaged civic leaders,” wrote Jim Harrison of HFS Holdings in his nomination letter. “Whether it was as Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority, United Way of West Alabama, the DCH Foundation or any number of community service organizations and causes, Tim seemed to always be there providing leadership, support and counsel.”
Parker’s public service includes three terms in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1990 to 2002, where he represented his district with “thoughtful dignity,” as Elizabeth Winter, a senior vice president at Regions Bank noted. His leadership extended to the Alabama State Port Authority, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Council, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Inland Waterways Users Board. He also served on the advisory board of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., and held roles in the Alabama Chapter of the American Society of Transportation and Logistics and the West Alabama Traffic and Transportation Club.
His civic vision is perhaps most visible in the transformation of Tuscaloosa’s public spaces. Parker played a key role in the development of the River District Park—now named Parker-Haun Park—a vibrant community hub along the Black Warrior River. “The completion of the River District Park […] stands as a testament to his vision for enhancing public spaces and promoting community engagement,” wrote Jimmy Warren, associate vice president for alumni affairs at The University of Alabama.
Parker’s philanthropic spirit is equally profound. He and his wife, Cathy, were honored as the United Way of West Alabama’s Family of the Year in 2014, a recognition of their enduring commitment to charitable causes. Their support for The University of Alabama’s Adapted Athletics program led to the creation of the Parker-Haun Tennis Facility, a state-of-the-art venue dedicated to student-athletes with disabilities. “This pioneering initiative in collegiate athletics serves as a testament to Tim’s philanthropic legacy,” Warren added.
The impact of Parker Towing and its chairman is woven into the fabric of Tuscaloosa. “If you travel to Tuscaloosa, you will see the mark of Parker Towing and Mr. Parker everywhere you look,” Winter wrote. “From Children’s Hands-On Museum, to Mason’s Place All-Inclusive Playground, to the River Walk Park… the proof is everywhere to see.”
Parker’s accolades reflect his broad influence: Civitan Citizen of the Year (1980), Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year, University of Alabama Distinguished Alumnus Award (2016), and induction into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame.
Tim and Cathy Parker reside in Tuscaloosa and have one son, a daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren.
