'Loved by all': Whitharral's Tucker Parkinson remembered after fatal Hockley County crash

A Whitharral High School student-athlete is being remembered for the big impact he made in his 15 years after he died Sunday afternoon in a Hockley County rollover crash. School officials and community members are planning to honor Tucker Parkinson in several ways.

Parkinson, a sophomore involved with athletics and 4-H, was remembered for his work ethic and likeability.

"He was definitely a hard-working kid," Whitharral football coach/athletic director Jeremy Holt said. "When there was work that needed to be done, he was involved. He was gonna make sure things got done and got done correctly. He was also a kid that, when it was time to play, he was gonna have fun too.

"Just a great kid. You could count on him and depend on him."

Parkinson started at center in certain formations and played defense for the Panthers football team. He also participated in basketball and track and field last year.

"He was loved by all his teammates, and as far as I know, all students," Holt said. "… I don't know that there was anybody that ever said anything negative about him or about the person that he was. He's just loved by all, because he loved all."

Holt said the football team will honor Parkinson with jersey patches and helmet decals with his No. 33. The coach is also planning a tribute for the Panthers' first play Friday against Hart.

More: Rollover in Hockley County ends in death of Levelland teen

Parkinson was heavily involved with 4-H and won multiple stock-show awards, according to online records.

His passing came just days after he was recognized with multiple awards in the beef cattle classification in the Panhandle-South Plains Fair livestock competitions.

Jennifer Wallace, general manager at the Panhandle-South Plains Fair, recalled presenting Parkinson with an award, which she said was bestowed on a student who showed responsibility and dedication through the quality, care and presentation of the animal they showed during the competition.

Wallace said Parkinson won the first annual Greg Gruben Memorial Herdsman Award. The prize was a plaque and $1,000 premium.  Wallace noted the many qualities of a good herdsman that judges were looking for, ultimately selecting Parkinson.

"A good herdsman observes all rules and regulations and exhibits an attitude of good sportsmanship," reads a portion of the award's description. "A good herdsman is helpful to other exhibitors, the public, superintendents, and others that are making the show possible and to the public viewing the exhibits."​

He also won the Supreme Reserve Grand Champion Heifer in their Beef Cattle Show.

She described him as a perennial competitor in livestock events at the fair who often performed well, remembering his numerous accomplishments over the years.

"It's a family tradition for him," Wallace said of Tucker. "His family has been showing at the fair for at least 50 years — his mom, his grandpa — they all come to the shows."

Whitharral 4-H encouraged people to wear green Tuesday in Parkinson's memory. Hockley County 4-H also posted their condolences on social media.

"Hockley County 4-H lost a good one and our hearts are hurting for the Parkinson family," Hockley County 4-H stated in the post. "Tucker made the world a better place. His passion and knowledge of cattle gained the respect of other youth as well as adults. He always had a smile on his face and was willing to pitch in and help anywhere he was needed and had a work ethic second to none. Tucker made an impact not only on Hockley 4-H but all over the United States with his show cattle family. He was an outstanding son, brother, friend and our lives have been made better by knowing him."

Condolences from around the South Plains rolled in following the news. That included social media posts from Levelland ISD, Littlefield Booster Club and Whiteface CISD, which is raising money for Parkinson's family. Holt said Monday any fundraising efforts were in the planning stages.

About 3:37 p.m. Sunday, the 15-year-old Parkinson was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD on Hartford Road, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety news release. The pickup went off the roadway and into a ditch on the west side. Investigators believe Parkinson overcorrected to the right, causing the pickup to travel across the road and into the opposite ditch. The pickup rolled, and he was pronounced dead on scene.

A funeral service for Parkinson will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 at the Mallet Event Center expo hall in Levelland. Arrangements are under the direction of Krestridge Funeral Home.

Avalanche-Journal staffers Adam D. Young, Alana Edgin and Alex Driggars contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Whitharral High School to honor Tucker Parkinson after deadly rollover