Politician leaves legacy of caring for people, GOP.(Metro)

Byline: SYLVESTER BROWN JR.

Death is an accepted reality for most. But when a young life slips away suddenly, the accepted often becomes unacceptable.

Such is the case with Sherman Thompson Parker, the first African-American elected to the state House from St. Charles County. Parker died last week after suffering a brain aneurysm at age 37.

On Thursday, I sat at the St. Louis Bread Co. in the Central West End with a group who knew Parker well. They futilely tried to apply reason to this sudden loss.

Christopher Arps still regrets ignoring the early morning call on Sept. 18 from his close friend, Parker.

"I'll call him later," Arps thought.

Hours later, he was standing in a hospital waiting room, surrounded by Parker's friends and family, trying to comprehend a neurosurgeon who explained that the damage to Parker's brain was "irreversible."

The people gathered at the …