FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — A teen is being remembered for his infectious and inclusive spirit after he died following a motorcycle crash.
Parker Nugent, 17, died after losing control of his motorcycle Saturday night, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. His passenger suffered minor injuries. On Caldwell Lane, there's a cross, a helmet and a skateboard at a memorial.
"He just walked in a room, and was so charismatic. Everybody knew he was Parker," Teryl O'Connor said. "This has been the hardest time of our lives. Our hearts are shattered."
O'Connor said Parker and her kids were best friends.
"They all just had fun, and they lived life to the fullest," O'Connor said.
Those who knew him say he was full of life.
"He just made everybody feel loved and made everybody feel special," O'Connor said.
He loved to skateboard and spent a lot of his time at Rocketown. He was also involved in Young Life. In addition, he was an anchor and reporter at his high school's news station. He was passionate about videography and photography.
Parker had plans to go to film school, so his parents have set up a scholarship fund in his memory.
"If you know the Nugents, they have huge hearts, and they want to take this time to honor their son and to pay it forward to some other child that doesn’t have the means to pursue this career that Parker wanted to pursue," O'Connor said.
For now, they're surrounding students with support and focusing on his legacy.
“Parker had a huge heart. He loved everybody, and I think that’s what everybody’s going to take away from that," O'Connor said.
There will be a candlelight vigil for students Tuesday, and it's open to the public. It starts at 8 p.m. at Centennial High School in Franklin.
A celebration of life for Parker will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Church of the City Franklin. In honor of Parker’s colorful spirit, the Nugent family is asking anyone attending to wear bright colors.
A LETTER FROM THE PARKER NUGENT FAMILY
An open letter to our family, friends, Parker’s friends and the greater Franklin and Nashville Community,
Over the last week and more, so many of you have shown us the hands and feet of Jesus. You have shown up, delivered meals, driven us to all our difficult appointments, told stories about our beautiful son, planned and organized his celebration of life and carried us with prayer. We are blown away by the generosity of each and every person who has contributed to the scholarship fund and we promise we will make Parker proud with your generous donations.
To our family who dropped everything and flew in from all over the US, we say thank you. You brought laughter, love, food, wine and a servant heart. Your presence, love and support will never be forgotten. To our family who could not make it but watched from afar, we know you wanted to be with us. We love all of you.
To our friends who flew in from as far as Germany, we are so thankful for the many, many years of friendship that we know will continue to grow. We will never forget how you showed up.
To Parker’s friends, your stories filled our hearts with so much joy. Thank you for sharing how our son impacted your lives. You will never know how much that means to us.
To our Franklin Community, we have received hundreds of notes, prayers, flowers and even a moment of silence at the Alderman meeting. Franklin, you are a town that shows up. The Lord brought us here seven years ago and now we know why. To our Torrance Community, the tribute to Parker at his childhood playground on Sunday was beautiful. So many of you have such special places in our hearts, and we can see our son had one in yours. Thank you for honoring him in a place he held so dearly.
To our Nashville Community, many of you we met for the first time. We are so grateful for the vigils, the support and memories of Parker. He loved Nashville and it is clear to us you all loved him too.
There are MANY individuals we need to thank but will do so privately. You all made every detail of Parker’s service honor him and our family. There is no way we can repay you and we will forever be grateful for this gift. A special thank you to the following organizations and businesses. Forgive us if we left anyone out:
- To Church of the City Franklin for the service, support and love. You are our church and we are thankful to be part of such an amazing body of Christ. https://cotc.com/
- Twine Graphics (John Bond)– for making the skateboard stickers and Parker’s boards for his friends. More to come as we partner with Twine. https://www.twinegraphics.com/ · Mojos Tacos – for catering the service -
- HealthLock/inAssist (Jeanine’s employer) – you have been a rock - all of you. From the very first day when you just came and prayed on our lawn, to your financial generosity, and the beautiful sign on the front of your building on Main St. You are incredible. www.healthlock.com
- FASTSIGNS of Franklin/Brentwood – thank you for making the sign happen outside my office – https://www.fastsigns.com/brentwood-franklin-tn/
- ERDMAN (Scott’s employer) – You have lived your values through this difficult time. You have shown up, given generously and put people before business. So proud to work with such a fine family of people – www.erdman.com
- Blue Flowers – Jake and Chase, thank you for all your love and support and for the hoodies for our family - https://blueflowers.com/
- Chartwell Hospitality (Dan Preston) – for the affordable rooms for the many loved ones who came - https://www.chartwellhospitality.com/
- Centennial High School – Thank you for the beautiful vigil and space for the kids to grieve. And Mr. McKinney, we will forever be grateful for the beautiful video tribute you created for our son.
- Williamson County YoungLife – MK, Reid and more, you are amazing. Keep loving these kids like Jesus and know that YoungLife is forever a part of our family. Ellie can’t wait for her turn! – https://wilco.younglife.org/
- Rocketown – this was a place that always made Parker feel welcome. Your tribute to him was wonderful. Thank you for loving our son so well. https://www.rocketown.org/about
- Prestige Photography – for providing Parker’s Senior Photos that we took the morning of the accident and his Junior Photo free of charge and all in time for the memorial. – https://local.prestigeportraits.com/tn/franklin/325-seaboard-lane.html
- Williamson Memorial and Funeral Home – For taking such care with our sweet boy and especially for the private viewing. https://www.williamsonmemorial.com/
- To the owner of Chic-fil-a Hwy 96 – We don’t even know you, yet you sent our family food on Friday. Thank you. - https://www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/tn/hwy-96
- Delaware North – For providing food for all the kids Friday night at the O’Connors to continue celebrating Parker amongst close friends. - https://www.delawarenorth.com/
With all our gratitude,
The Nugent Family
#LovelikeParker
