Former state Rep. Sherman parker he suffered a massive brain aneurysm today. Parker, 37, represented part of St. Charles County (District 12) in the Missouri House of Representatives for two terms. He was elected to the House in 2002 election and was re-elected in 2004 with 73% of the vote.

During the 92nd Missouri General Assembly, Representative Parker was elected Deputy Majority Whip and served as Vice-Chairman of the Financial Services Committee. He also served on the Education Committee, and the Small Business Committee.

During his first year as a legislator, Missouri’s community college chancellors and presidents, named Parker their legislator of the year for his work and commitment to higher education. He was also named Missouri Votes Conservation’s Rising Stars, due to his leadership on conservation issues. In 2002, Parker was named by his peers as the Missouri’s Young Republican of the Year. In 2005, Cardinal Glennon Hospital awarded him the "Defender of the Children" award. In 2006, Sherman was named by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of the region's "Most Influential Minority Business Leaders.

Parker was unique among St. Louis’ black Republicans in the sense that he received little scorn for his political party affiliation. During his tenure he was one of the most respected political figures from either party.

Our prayers are with him and his family.