Ronald Parker

VISITATION: 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. SERVICE: Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m FINAL RESTING PLACE: Garland Brook Cemetery Mr. Ronald Lynn "Ron" Parker, 81, current resident of Sun City, Arizona, and a former resident of Columbus, entered eternal life on May 23, 2015, after battling a long-term illness with respiratory complications. He was a patient at Hospice of the Valley in Glendale, Arizona, at the time of his death. Mr. Parker was born January 31, 1934, in Columbus, the son of Lydia P. and Hobart H Parker. Ron graduated from Columbus High School in 1951 and also attended Franklin College where he met his lifelong wife, Mary F. (Hemphill) Parker. During the years the couple resided in Columbus they were members of First Christian Church. Ron was a member of DeMolay, Sports Car Club of America (Indianapolis Chapter), and Fraternal Order of Police. He learned meat cutting skills from his father during the years they worked together at Parker's Market. Prior to his retirement, he worked at jobs selling insurance, cars, satellite systems and manufactured homes. Ron's interests were rally racing, photography, coin and gun collecting, playing trumpet, boating, and talking to people worldwide from his ham radio. He especially enjoyed time spent with family and friends. Ron and Mary moved to Sun City in January 2002 where they resided together for the remainder of his retirement years. Ron is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary F. Parker of Sun City; sons, Bruce (Robin) Parker of Columbus, Brian (Louise) Parker of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Brent Parker of Columbus; daughters, Beverly Parker of Columbus and Barbara (Parker) Allen of Phoenix, Arizona. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Amy (J.J.) Weddell, Angie Tolen and Alan (Laura) Parker, all of Columbus; and five great-grandsons, Nathan, Landon, Bryson, Cameron and Grady. After the funeral, a memorial picnic will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Mill Race Park in the playground area, where family and friends will gather in celebration of Ron Parker's life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association at http://www.lung.org/. Condolences and memories from family and friends can be posted online at the following website blog: http://ronaldlynnparker.weebly.com.

Ronald Parker

January 31, 1934 - May 23, 2015