As Geraldine “Jerry” Dye Parker proudly looked out from the graduation stage in 1951—diploma in hand, white uniform freshly pressed and her deep navy wool cape draped over her shoulders—she knew something special had just happened.
She and her nine classmates, known in UTMB history as The Mighty Ten, had become the first graduates of the UTMB School of Nursing’s (SON) Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Together, they ushered in a new era of nursing education in Texas, and the significance of that achievement was never lost on them.
“She was immensely proud of that accomplishment,” Dr. Scott M. Parker recalled, Jerry’s eldest child, a 1978 UTMB medical school alumnus and husband of fellow graduate Dr. Colleen McClellen Parker (SOM ’78).
“I’ve joked with a classmate, Dr. George Saikin (SOM ’78), whose mother is also a Mighty Ten graduate, comparing whose mother would bring up that time more,” he added with a smile.
Paul Parker, Jerry’s second eldest child, echoed Scott’s sentiment: “When my parents moved to the Kerrville area, they had to introduce themselves to many new friends and neighbors—and the topic came up often.”
A Calling Passed Down
For the late Jerry Dye Parker, the call to nursing began long before she put on the iconic white uniform. Her mother, Ida Mae Phillips Dye, graduated from UTMB SON in the early 1920s. Her father, Dr. Fulton Eugene Dye, was a 1924 UTMB medical school alumnus whose journey to medicine began after serving as a Navy medical corpsman in World War I.
That wartime experience sparked a lifelong zeal for healing and service, ultimately leading him to help establish a general hospital for Matagorda County in the late 1930s. He rejoined the Navy in World War II as a Lieutenant Commander, working with the Marines to establish field hospitals.
In a 2001 UTMB interview during her 50th class reunion, Jerry reflected on the innate calling into nursing: “I think most of [The Mighty Ten] wanted to be a nurse from birth. Both of my parents graduated from [UTMB], so I knew this was the place to come.”
Carol Parker, Paul’s wife and a 1979 UTMB SON alumna, commented on Jerry’s call into nursing: “Nurses are deeply caring and have great insight into people’s feelings. Knowing Jerry and the type of person she was, her sense of calling into nursing makes perfect sense.”
Although Jerry wanted to follow her parents into health care, they had different plans, sending her to H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College in New Orleans when she was 16.
“She begged her dad if she could come back home and study nursing at UTMB,” Amy Parker Hurst said, Jerry’s daughter. “They must’ve made a deal, because she returned from New Orleans after two years without a degree but very motivated.”
A New Family Tradition
As Jerry’s family watched her march across stage in 1951, the moment moved from receiving a diploma to continuing a family legacy—one she would carry forward with her husband, Dr. Wade Malcolm Parker.
Wade, a 1952 UTMB medical school alumnus, met Jerry on a blind date while they were students.
“She did not want to go out with him again after that date,” Amy laughed. “But somehow, they ended up dating for two years and married a week after mom’s graduation. They were married for 71 years.”
As the young couple exchanged vows in the backyard of Jerry’s parents’ home in Bay City, Texas, that summer, it marked the beginning of not only their life together but also the start of their enduring bond with UTMB—the place where they laid the foundation of their love and careers.
That bond was rekindled in 2001 when Wade surprised his bride by establishing the Geraldine Dye Parker Nursing Scholarship in honor of her 50th class reunion. The scholarship, created to support promising second-year nursing students, was a lasting tribute to both Jerry’s legacy and their shared history at UTMB.
The scholarship became a Parker family affair, with each of the couple’s four children contributing to the fund that year.
“Education was very important to mom and dad,” Paul said. “I opted for a track outside of medicine, and my parents were happy that I chose something I enjoyed.”
Amy reiterated their parent’s deep value of education, adding, “Dad was very loyal to UTMB and was always so proud of our mom, so the scholarship was a perfect way to honor both.”
A Legacy Renewed
After Wade’s passing in 2022 and Jerry’s in 2024, their children—Scott, Paul, James and Amy—are adding to the scholarship. Their collective gifts have elevated it to a presidential level endowment, ensuring it will support nursing students for generations to come, with plans to further expand its impact.
“After mother passed, we all felt the need to do something that was material to honor her,” Dr. James F. Parker said, Jerry’s youngest son and a 1982 medical school graduate.
“Our parents always stressed the importance of education and service to others,” Scott added. “And this scholarship is a great way to keep that momentum going, helping students who want to serve others through nursing.”
Alongside their renewed commitment to the scholarship, the family also donated their mother’s graduation cape, worn nearly 75 years ago, to be preserved in the Blocker History of Medicine Collections as a symbol of a significant milestone in UTMB history.
A Century of Care
With a connection to UTMB that stretches back over a century and includes eight family members, the Parker family remains deeply invested in the future of both the university and the field of health care.
When asked what defines their legacy at UTMB, the siblings quickly summed it up in two words: we care.
“We care deeply about education because it enables students to help others in a more meaningful way,” James said. “We hope that by easing financial burdens, these students can focus on becoming skilled health professionals who serve with compassion.”
Through their renewed support of the Geraldine Dye Parker Nursing Presidential Scholarship and the gift of their mother’s ceremonial cape, the Parker family is not only honoring their past but shaping the future. Their commitment ensures that aspiring nurses at UTMB will continue to have the resources and inspiration they need to serve with skill and compassion.
With more than a dozen students already supported by the scholarship, the Parker family looks forward to seeing future generations of nurses carry forward their mother’s legacy and the timeless values of service, empathy and educational excellence.
Inspired to make a gift or share your own UTMB Health story? Reach out to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. We’d love to hear from you and explore ways to honor your legacy.