Don Parker Obituary

Don Parker 1933 ~ 2005 OGDEN - Don Parker died unexpectedly at McKay-Dee Hospital, February 2, 2005. Don was born in Ogden, Utah, January 14, 1933, a son of Hendrika (Reka) Parker and Thomas Parker, Jr. He grew up on Adams Avenue where he was taught and lived faith, loyalty, and worthy work. He graduated from Ogden High School, Class of 1951, where he was student body president and state champion debater. He graduated from BYU with a BESEE degree and earned an MS at Harvard University where he was a Gordon McKay Fellow. Don fulfilled one of his dreams when he was awarded the Doctor of Science in electrical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Don married Carolyn Jensen in the Logan L.D.S. Temple on June 12, 1953. Their 51 years together were not enough! Don worked as a research engineer and later as an engineering manager at M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory, Stanford Research Institute, Hughes Aircraft Company, and Raytheon. He was an IEEE Fellow and a member of the Microwave Theory and Techniques Society where he served as President and recipient of their Distinguished Service Award. Don's ability to analyze all facets of a project while treating each team member with respect and understanding were hallmarks of his career and life. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Don again lived the principle of complete service he learned in his childhood home. He served as a counselor in the Boston, MA and Canoga Park, CA stakes, as a bishop in two Palo Alto, CA wards, ordinance worker in the Los Angeles Temple, gospel doctrine instructor, stake extraction worker, and was currently serving as ward clerk in the Shadow Ridge Ward. He and his wife were just completing 30 months as part-time service missionaries in the Family and Church History Mission. Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn, sons David (Ami) Parker, Federal Way, WA; Jonathan (Katherine) Parker, Chuluota, FL; daughter Jennifer (Scott) Sitton, O'Fallon, IL; and 13 cherished grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Clyde Parker, Ogden; and sisters, Clara Denham, Bountiful; Ruth Paskett, Provo; Lucile (Clarence) Butler, Kuna, ID; and Afton Robinson Christensen, North Ogden. He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy, his parents, brother Thomas, and twin sister Delores. Funeral services will be held in the Shadow Ridge Ward, 1401 Country Hills Drive, Ogden at 12:00 noon Monday, February 7. A viewing will be held Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., and at the church on Monday from 10:45-11:45 preceding the services. The family suggests contributions may be made to the LDS Humanitarian Fund. Email condolences to the family at [email protected]

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Published by Deseret News from Feb. 5 to Feb. 6, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Don Parker

8 Entries

Debbie Stone

February 15, 2005

Jonathan,

May the peace of God be with you and yours to heal your sorrows.

Debbie

Dianna (Tseu) Cava

February 12, 2005

To the Parker family. My sincere condolences at Don's passing. I had worked for Don at SRI as his Secretary many years ago. I remember him as being such a caring and generous person.

Martin McOmber

February 11, 2005

Dear Carolyn and family: I have not seen Bishop Parker for many years, but heard with sadness this morning in talking with your good friend Sharon Rytting that he had passed away. He was a wonderful man, a tremendous bishop. I have many favorable memories of his serving in our ward when I was a teenager. You and your family are in my prayers.

Veronica Limes

February 11, 2005

Jonathan,

I pray God's peace for your family during this time.

Arthur Karp

February 8, 2005

Don was a superb group manager at SRI, and brought out the best in each and all of us. We missed him badly when he moved on to Hughes, but knew he had made the best choice for himself & family — to whom I extend deepest sympathy at this time.

Yuille Menzie

February 5, 2005

Dear Carolyn, David, Jennifer and Jonathan: I'm so profoundly sorry and offer you my heartfelt sympathies and condolences. Don was always a beacon to me and a true and loyal friend. We always talked sports, politics and gospel doctrine, probably in that order. He possessed a great sense of humor and seemd to always have a smile when you needed it most. We enjoyed many good times together at Church, Dodger games and in your home in Calabasas. Our paths crossed in Church callings as well. He was one-of-a-kind and will be missed greatly by all whose lives he touched.

Sincerely, Yuille

V. Dallas Merrell

February 5, 2005

It was a wonderful experience this morning to read about Don's life. I am sorry at his passing, but am thrilled to know that this good young man I knew at BYU has been such a valient and successful person. I have spent years as a General Authority meeting leaders of the church, and I have wondered where Don was. I am sorry I didn't have a chance to see him again, but that day will come. Bless his family who will forever be strengthened by the spirit and example of Don's life.

James Craner

February 5, 2005

sorry Don has left so soon. I can recall as yesterday don comming to my parents store as he attended Washington school, and going on to a wonderful life of acheivement in academics,family and the Gospel.

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