Donald Richard Parker

Our beloved husband and father Donald Richard Parker died at the age of 85 on Christmas, December 25, 2019 after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. Don’s funeral service will be held at Chapel Rock Christian Church, 2020 N Girls School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46214 on Friday January 3^rd, 2020.  A viewing will be held from 10am to 1pm with funeral to follow. His body will be laid to rest at Lincoln Memory Gardens Cemetery in Whitestown, IN. We can say with confidence that Don is in Heaven now, as he is a true follower of Christ. He is having conversations with Jesus and other Christians who have gone before him. Don was a great husband and father in the truest sense. He was a hard worker and provided well for his family.  Those who knew Don would appreciate his sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his sister Ann Cowden, mother Ruby Kathryn Browne, father Oscar Parker, and step-father O’Gorman Browne.  Don is survived by his wife of 64 years Nola Parker (Smith), and their three children LuAnn Gilmore (husband Dave Gilmore), Kurt Parker (wife Danita Parker), and Wayne Parker (wife Michelle Parker).  Don is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Faith Miller (husband Greg) and their daughters Grace and Bonnie Jean; Bethany Armstrong (husband Thomas), and their children George and Emma; Ericka Davis (husband Jeff) and their son Asher; Ethan Parker; Emalee Norris (husband Andrew) and their daughter Callie, Jordan Tuxhorn (husband Garrett); Joel Parker; Jace Parker; and Karissa Stiner.

To take a big step back in time, Don was born in Louisville, KY on August 16, 1934. During his childhood, he moved frequently from Louisville, Kentucky to Poughkeepsie, New York, then to California and back to Louisville before settling in Indianapolis. Don met Nola in Indianapolis and they married on February 5, 1955 at Garden City Christian Church.  They soon started a family and had LuAnn, Kurt and Wayne.  He worked for Allison Gas Turbine of General Motors for 40 years, retiring in August of 1992.  He then worked for 22 years for the Convention Center of Indianapolis where he was able to watch Colts football in the Hoosier Dome and then in Lucas Oil Stadium, retiring in 2014.  Don was an active member of Chapel Rock Christian Church since the early days of Chapel Rock in the 1970’s.  He liked to garden, mow grass, work in the yard, cut down trees, replace sump pumps, roof houses, tar roofs, paint, and many other outdoor labor activities. In his spare time, Don enjoyed hunting and fishing.  When he was younger, he worked to mix mortar for brick laying and laid the brick for their garage on Greensprings Road.

Don was a follower of Christ, a loving and loyal husband, a courageous and strong Father, and a leader of faith for his family. May your body rest in peace and your soul live forever in Heaven.  See you soon.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Chapel Rock Christian Church.