Donald Earl Parker of Lawrence, formerly of Topeka, Ks and Stockton, CA passed away Tuesday November 11th, 2014. He was born April 8th, 1935 in Monett, Mo. the son of Alvin Parker and Irene Ianaite. Donald attended McKinley Elementary, and Edison High School, Stockton, CA. Serving in the United States Air Force from 1952-1957, was stationed in Ramstein, Germany in the 604th Company Umation and the 604th Company. After serving in the Air Force he went to work at the U.S. Post Office, Santa Fe Railroad- as a blacksmith helper, North American Van Lines, and Ed Marling’s, all of Topeka. He had worked with gospel groups for many years. He was a bass, piano, and guitar player. Donald enjoyed woodworking, and was the winner of award winning local Christmas decorations. He was ordained as a minister in 1984 through Pentecostal Grace Fellowship Inc., Topeka.
Don married Lucille Wadsworth on December 20th 1957; she preceded him in death January, 1981. He married Doris Ward on February 6th, 1982; she preceded him in death January, 2002. He was also preceded in death by his mother Irene, in 2005 and his father Alvin, in 2003, three brothers Alvin Parker Jr, Raymond Parker, Earl Beeson, and a step grandson John Mcfoose. Survivors include two daughters Ute Gabriel, Germany, and Pamela Kentch, Topeka, eight step children; Nora Fergola, Cindy Handy, Doug Wadsworth, all of Topeka, Lisa Herschell, Lawrence, Bob and Jacque Hurley, Lawrence, Sheila Ward and Alex Cano Romero, Lawrence, Carl and Tanya Ward, Lawrence, Kirk Kirkland and Catherine Wesley, Lawrence, and sister Marjorie James, Urbana, Mo.; twenty six grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.
Memorial services with military honors will be held Saturday, November 15th at 2 pm at Rumsey Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, Ks. The family will greet friends from 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm.
