Parker Maitlon Rexford

Parker Maitlon Rexford, 24, passed away unexpectedly on May 19, 2023 at his home in Conroe, TX. He was born a fraternal twin, to parents Angela Renee Rexford and Jeffrey Edward Rexford on August 31, 1998 in Plano, Texas.

Parker’s life was hard from the beginning. He was born at 25 weeks and weighed only 1 lb 14 ounces. He then developed Alopecia Totalis at the age of six, and suffered a lifetime of unwanted stares and questions from others. Parker also had Autism and found great difficulty making social connections. We fought hard to help him through his journey, and we are truly grateful for the many therapists, doctors, professionals, and our Church family who helped us. We loved him, his siblings took him under their wings, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. Parker lost his battle with depression.

Parker graduated from Lovejoy Highschool in 2017 and continued to Collin college earning his associates degree in liberal arts. Parker was a big-hearted son and brother and was happiest being with his family which he loved more than anything in this world; whether it be going on vacation, playing games, watching TV or just being at home.

His second love was the arts. He loved fashion and appreciated the finer unique articles of clothing that many of us wouldn’t notice until we stopped to take a closer look. His goal in life was to be a fashion designer and we have no doubt he would have been successful. Parker had started his journey to becoming a fashion designer and attended a few courses at UNT. He has left us with several priceless pieces of his artwork and journals that we will cherish forever and pass down through generations. He also loved music and had an impressive record collection that would be envied by many.

As a child Parker was involved in many activities such as Cub Scouts where he entered several cars in the Soap Box derby and won multiple awards. He played baseball for several years and fencing as well. In high school he tried his hand at football, settling in with Wrestling where he found his place and felt at home. We are so grateful for his many coaches, teachers, and tutors who believed in him. Thank you for being a bright spot in Parker’s life. For his senior project he created the wrestling team poster and raised funds to have the poster printed so they could be displayed in local stores and teammates' bedrooms.

Parker was an excellent listener and had a way of making people feel heard. Anyone that’s ever met Parker knows, he always made you feel at home. He was easy to talk to, about anything and always offered to help. He had his inner struggles, but he always made an effort to prioritize your feelings over his. Parker was so easy to love.

Not everyone has a heart like Parker’s, they weren’t taught to look at a person’s heart and many cruel people called him “weird.” We ask each person reading this to intentionally choose to be kind to someone who seems different from you. Teach your kids not to stare at someone who looks different from you, say “Hello” to a person who seems lost. Your kindness may be all the Jesus they see that day. Be kind and love your neighbor.

Ephesians 4:32-5:21 reminds us to; “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Mark 12:30-31 says the two most important commandments God has given humanity is to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.”

Parker modeled what it looked like to follow these two commandments. He is in a better place now as he knew the love of the Lord and prayed to Him often. In one of his journals, he wrote this prayer to the Lord, “I am grateful for your continuous presence in my life. Whenever I feel alone, I can think of you and be satisfied. You give me little chunks of joy even on my worst days. I accept you as my Lord and savior. I ask that you fill me with your wisdom and your Holy Spirit.”

We find comfort in knowing that Parker is in the presence of our Lord and comforted in the arms of his Aunt Shelby who has been waiting in heaven to embrace him.

If you’d like to contribute to Parker’s legacy consider making a donation to the Texas Autism Society, to support families with Autism. Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Click Here to donate:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/0CY-Dw?vid=yz4g0

Parker is survived by his mother, Angela Veil Rexford, his father Jeffrey Edward Rexford, and his siblings; fraternal twin brother Jackson John Rexford; younger brother Harrison Keen Rexford, younger half-sister Rylie Rexford and Roger E. Berry, who served as a supportive and loving step-father figure to Parker for 19 years; grandmother Karen and husband Jerry Cook, grandfather Terry and his wife Barbara Viel; aunt Christy and husband Mark Mayberry; uncle Jason and wife Kierston Viel; cousins, Hayden Mayberry, Justin Viel, Alec Viel, and Mason Mayberry.

His surviving paternal family members include his step-mother Wenell Rexford; older step-brother Stephen Bennett; uncles, Rick and his wife Lisa Auld, Steve and his wife Kathy Auld, Frank Rexford, Kimball Rexford and his aunt Ann and her husband Brad Belz; cousins Andrew Auld, Tommy Auld, Jeff Auld, Melissa Auld Philips, Katie Auld Bernas, David Auld, Jasmine Rexford Regan, Ryan Belz, Josh Belz, and Kaitlyn Belz.

He is preceded in death by his aunt Shelby Viel.