LIVE OAK — A long-time radio station employee and a link to the Suwannee River Jamboree music heydays in Live Oak, Rev. Clarence (Clare) Parker was a “gentle giant.”

Parker passed away Thursday. He was 94.

Working at WNER-AM for Norm Protsman, Parker served as the announcer and engineer for the Jamboree when it was broadcast across the southeast from the tobacco warehouses in Live Oak.

“Clare was a gentle giant,” said John Koch, who later worked with Parker at WQHL-FM and learned under his tutelage. “Very quiet.”

But when the Jamboree was in full swing, Parker’s on-air persona “Cousin Clare” was just the opposite. Serving as the emcee, “Cousin Clare” was dubbed the “funniest man in the valley.”

But even after the Jamboree days, Parker continued to stand tall.

He spent decades at the radio station, as an engineer and DJ.

It was during that time that he made an impact on Koch, who was just beginning his career working at the station.

“That’s where I got my education as far as the technical aspects of radio,” Koch recalled. “He always took the time to teach me things.”

That included tips and pointers on how to deliver the news in between records.

“He’d come around and listen to me,” Koch said. “Talk to the microphone as if it was a person. Picture the people out there that you are talking to and don’t lose sight of that. Remember that there are people out there and they’re listening and have feelings.”

Michelle Savitz Brannan and Monty Savitz, whose father Bill was a long-time co-worker of Parker’s also remember him fondly.

“He was well-liked and respected in the community,” Monty Savitz said.

Added Dean Blackwell, the station manager at WQHL: “He was a terrific guy.”

Michelle Savitz Brannan said she can remember listening to him on the radio as well as visiting during trips to the station with her father.

“He’d let us go up there and do commercials,” Brannan said. “Man, we thought we were something and Clare was always there.”

In addition to being a fixture at the station, Parker also was a preacher. He began preaching in 1962 and was a member of First Baptist Church.

Services were held Monday.