FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Donald Lloyd Parker
05/07/1937 — 08/23/2004
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Aripine, Arizona
Donald Lloyd Parker
Donald Parker, age 67, left this earth on August 23rd after an extended illness.
Don was born May 7, 1937, in a log cabin in Aripine, Arizona to Lloyd and Mildred Parker.
At an early age he moved to Lowell, Oregon where he went to high school, and at age 19, joined the United States Air Force, proudly serving 21 years. While stationed in Oklahoma, Don met and married the love of his life, June Gabbard. They recently celebrated their 46th anniversary.
Don and June raised three children while traveling the world serving his country.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1977, Don moved his family to the Tri-Cities where he worked in the Nuclear Industry for 17 years.
Don loved to hunt, fish and watch his grandsons play baseball.
In recent years, Don became an accomplished and well liked poker player.
Don leaves behind his loving wife, June; children, Sherrie Dean Kelley, Kent Roxana Parker and Jodi Alan Ardamica, all of the Tri-Cities; grandkids, Cody, Kristine, Denisse, Morgan, Jaycee and Nicole; mother, Mildred and stepfather, Bill Anderson; sister, Joanne Wright; brother, Randall Lois Parker, all of Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the country.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd; brother, Chuck and grandson, Spencer Kelley.
The family is hosting a casual memorial celebration of Dons life at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 28th at The Hampton Inn, 486 Bradley Blvd. Richland, WA. Please bring a smile and happy memories.
Don was one of the neatest people I have ever known. It was a pleasure to have been part of his life. He was a good man, the kind of man who conducted his life with honor. The kind of person that you admire and want to emulate. I only hope someday that I will be able to look back on my life and feel like I conducted it any way near his level. I am sorry for all those he left behind because he will be missed. I hope someday to meet him again and will do everything I can between now and then “to not disgrace the family gene pool.” I also hope that before we meet I have improved my poker skills so that “I might finally know how I play.”
My deepest sympathies go out to all who knew and loved Uncle Don, and especially to Aunt June, Sherry, Kent, Jodi and all his grandkids. Your all in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of each other.
Love Always,
Jan
Don Parker was my Unks. I loved him deeply, and always will.
Unks quietly commanded respect, by respecting himself and others.
He was so very wise. If I ever needed to talk through a problem or issue, I could depend on him to listen, and give solid, well thoughtout advise. I knew I was on the right track when Unks said: “ya, thats right.”
There are no words to express how sad I am over the way Unks spent the last few years of his life. I am comforted in knowing he had the love and respect of his family; and knowing he and my father are together now. I believe they are together, forever enjoying watching The Spinner.
The Parkers now have three very special guardian angels watching over us. I am glad they have each other, and greatful we have them.
Ina
Unka Don was my favorite.
Out of all the men I’ve known, He and my dad were the best.
He was on the top of my list from the time I met him.
He had a great sense of humor,
a passion for fishin’, and a mild-mannered authority that passively commanded respect.
He was a staight shooter, and a straight arrow. Never one to cuss a man, and never one to be impolite to anyone. He was just plain awesome.
The mere fact that he didn’t kill me and John Little when we were younger…says it all.
I hope John ain’t talkin’ 100 miles an hour to ya these days Don.
We love ya, we miss ya, say hi to pops for us.
Dear Jody and Alan and family,
Our hearts goes out to all of you for your loss. I had never met your Dad but I know how close you all were. He sounded like a wonderful Dad and Grandpa. He will live on in your hearts and you will keep him alive in your childrens hearts from all the memories you hold onto. Take Care and our prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this delicate time in your lives.
Love You,
The Foreman’s
Don was one of the neatest people I have ever known. It was a pleasure to have been part of his life. He was a good man, the kind of man who conducted his life with honor. The kind of person that you admire and want to emulate. I only hope someday that I will be able to look back on my life and feel like I conducted it any way near his level. I am sorry for all those he left behind because he will be missed. I hope someday to meet him again and will do everything I can between now and then “to not disgrace the family gene pool.” I also hope that before we meet I have improved my poker skills so that “I might finally know how I play.”
My deepest sympathies go out to all who knew and loved Uncle Don, and especially to Aunt June, Sherry, Kent, Jodi and all his grandkids. Your all in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of each other.
Love Always,
Jan
Don Parker was my Unks. I loved him deeply, and always will.
Unks quietly commanded respect, by respecting himself and others.
He was so very wise. If I ever needed to talk through a problem or issue, I could depend on him to listen, and give solid, well thoughtout advise. I knew I was on the right track when Unks said: “ya, thats right.”
There are no words to express how sad I am over the way Unks spent the last few years of his life. I am comforted in knowing he had the love and respect of his family; and knowing he and my father are together now. I believe they are together, forever enjoying watching The Spinner.
The Parkers now have three very special guardian angels watching over us. I am glad they have each other, and greatful we have them.
Ina
Unka Don was my favorite.
Out of all the men I’ve known, He and my dad were the best.
He was on the top of my list from the time I met him.
He had a great sense of humor,
a passion for fishin’, and a mild-mannered authority that passively commanded respect.
He was a staight shooter, and a straight arrow. Never one to cuss a man, and never one to be impolite to anyone. He was just plain awesome.
The mere fact that he didn’t kill me and John Little when we were younger…says it all.
I hope John ain’t talkin’ 100 miles an hour to ya these days Don.
We love ya, we miss ya, say hi to pops for us.
Dear Jody and Alan and family,
Our hearts goes out to all of you for your loss. I had never met your Dad but I know how close you all were. He sounded like a wonderful Dad and Grandpa. He will live on in your hearts and you will keep him alive in your childrens hearts from all the memories you hold onto. Take Care and our prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this delicate time in your lives.
Love You,
The Foreman’s
WITH DEEP SYMPATHIES AND LOVE WITH THE FEW TIMES I MEET HIM, HE ALWAYS SHOWED HOW MUCH HE LOVED HIS FAMILY AND IN TURN HOW MUCH THEY LOVE EACH OTHER…
Guestbook for
Donald Lloyd Parker