Obituary of Ronald Douglas PARKER

April 7, 1929 – Calgary, Alberta
October 10, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with sadness, acceptance, peacefulness and relief that we say good-bye to Ron Parker - husband, father, and friend. Ron had dementia in his later years, and over the last few months the decline was significant and fast. It is truly a blessing he is now at rest. 

Ron was born in 1929, and lived all his life in the Calgary area. He went to Central High School, graduating in 1947. Ron was a committed family man and husband of sixty-six years to his wife Donna, and sons, Doug (deceased), Brant and Susan (nee Cayford), Russell and Sue (nee House) and Derek and Myriane (nee Courtois).  Some of his greatest joy came from the time he spent with his grandchildren, Braden, Max, Logan, Lawson, Jenna, Aimee, Vanessa, and Isak. Grandpa's teasing and infectious smile resulted in loads of giggling and raucous laughter. He also loved playing crib with anyone who would play. When he won it was because of his play, and when he lost it was, of course, because of the cards. Ron took over Parker Electric which his father, Lambert, started in the early 1900’s. He continued operating the company for almost fifty years, before retiring in 1997. Along with his electrical work, his passions included big game and fowl hunting, politics, fossil digging and photography. Ron greatly admired his lifetime friend, Peter Lougheed, and was very active in Peter's election campaigns.  He was also President of the Progressive Conservative Association in Peter's riding through the seventies.  Ron was also proud of his role on the first Board of Governors for SAIT; one of his proudest accomplishments was initiating and participating in the re-naming of the buildings on the SAIT campus to reflect Alberta’s History. 

Ron will be greatly missed. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Ron’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Bethany Care Foundation, Riverview Capital Campaign #100, 2915 – 26th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2B 2W6 Telephone: (403) 210-4600, email: bcf@bethanycare.com.