Surrounded by friends - one an Episcopal priest who administered Last Rites - Parker McVay Cantelou, 34, entered the Church Triumphant on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Parker was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1991 to Elaine and Dexter Cantelou. His family moved to
Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2000. In Chattanooga, his love for God, family, friends, country, football,
theater, Boy Scouts, and learning grew and flourished. He graduated from Baylor School in 2010.
He attended Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. At VMI, he played NCAA D-1 football,
performed in 10 VMI theater productions, was Cadet in Charge of Theater, and was a member of the Wrecking Crew. He and 4 Brother Rats lived in the same Old Barracks room that General George C. Marshall, VMI Class of 1901, lived in. “Rah Virginia Mil!”
Encouraged by friends and embracing his love for warmth, Parker moved to Florida after graduating from VMI in 2014. This affection for the state began as a camp staff member at Camp Weed in Live Oak. At the conclusion of the 2014 summer camp season, Parker became a District Executive of the North Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America, serving Putnam and Bradford counties.
In 2018, Parker found his calling in education, becoming a civics and history teacher at Duval Charter School at Coastal. His desire to be part of the school leadership team led him to earn a Master of Education degree from Miami Regional University. In 2022, he was promoted to Dean of Students and Athletic Director at Duval Charter High School at Baymeadows. In January 2025, Parker became the assistant principal at Duval Charter Scholars Academy.
Parker was a lifelong Episcopalian, an Eagle Scout, and a special initiate of the Kappa Sigma
Fraternity. With a warm, generous smile that filled a room, Parker loved people and loved life.
He is survived by his parents Elaine and Dexter Cantelou, his sister Kat Chappell (Will), niece Mary
Wesley, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his extended family of friends, co-workers, and students, and his cat Shire or - as his students knew her when he taught on his YouTube channel during the 2020 pandemic lockdown - Professor Shire.
There are two services for Parker: one in Jacksonville, Fl. (Saturday, Aug. 16) and one in
Chattanooga, Tennessee (Saturday, Aug. 30).
His Jacksonville service is on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m. with reception following at Christ Church Ponte Vedra Beach, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; the Rev. Wiley Ammons and the Rev. Canon Laura Mann Magevney officiating and Parker’s sister the Rev. Kat Chappell preaching. That evening at 5 p.m., with parking available at Christ Church Ponte Vedra Beach, there will be a beach service of prayers and stories. Please dress festively! Parker loved the beauty and majesty of the beach and the fun and frivolity of Jimmy Buffett concerts and gamedays. Wear your favorite Parrot Heads, beach, Florida Gators, Jumbo Shrimp, Icemen, or a combination of all attire, and celebrate Parker’s life at this beach service.
His Chattanooga service is Saturday, Aug. 30, with receiving beginning at 10 a.m. and a service
at noon at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 7555 Ooltewah-Georgetown Road,
Ooltewah, Tennessee; the Rev. Lou Parsons officiating.
Both services will be live-streamed. Please contact the family for the link for the service at Christ Church Ponte Vedra Beach. The service at St. Francis will be available on the church’s website: www.sfaec.org. Whether in person or online, your presence and prayers are welcomed and encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, please consider remembering Parker by supporting any of the following: Camp Weed; VMI; Baylor School; North Florida Council, BSA; Redeemer Episcopal Church, Jacksonville; St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Ooltewah; Christ Church, Ponte Vedra Beach; Grace Episcopal Church, Lexington, Virginia; any pet fostering organization; or any organization that makes a difference in the lives of others.
His family extends their deepest gratitude to Deputies Peterson and Simulis of the Hamilton County
(Tennessee) Sheriff's Office and to Detective Parcher of the Clay County (Florida) Sheriff's Office for their care and compassion; to Parker’s Baymeadows students for the memorial at the school and their gathering at the beach remembering him; and to his friends for finding his cat Shire a foster home and for all their support, assistance, and prayers during this tremendously difficult time.
As a Scout, Parker learned to always leave the campsite better than he found it. He did that with his life, and, to honor his life, he would encourage you to do likewise.