Tommie Daniel "Dan" Parker

1939 - 2025

Tommie Daniel "Dan" Parker
Born: July 17, 1939 in Olney, IL
Died: August 7, 2025 in Canal Fulton, OH
The family of Tommie Daniel "Dan" Parker, 86, of Canal Fulton, Ohio is saddened to announce his passing the morning of Thursday, August 7, 2025.
The second child of Red and Alice Parker spent his early years in Centralia before being turned on to broadcasting while attending Southern Illinois University. After early stops at radio stations back home in Centralia and in Macon, Georgia, Dan accepted a job in 1974 as general manager of the AM and FM stations in Ottawa, Illinois. He would spend the next 30 years building them into community-centered stations and helming Morning Meeting, a talk show where he conducted some 8,000 interviews and provided an outlet for listeners to talk about the issues. Considered a "broadcaster's broadcaster," he encouraged those in the newsroom to strive for excellence in broadcast journalism. Talking about his early years in Ottawa, Dan is quoted as saying, "It wasn't long before I knew I wanted to stay. This is where I knew I could be of value. I found my dream job."
Above his stellar career in broadcasting, Dan was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. His family and friends meant everything to him. He was a decades-long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, a music lover, a voracious reader, had a keen sense of humor, and provided love and wisdom to those close to him.
Dan is survived and missed by his loving wife of 44 years, Ricarda "Ricci" and his children, Jeff (Alison), Jamie, Dave and Ben (Emilie). His memory lives on with his seven grandchildren, Darien, Reilly, Kieran, Liliana, Regan, Jacques and Henri, his sisters Dona and Denise, brother-in-law Chuck, niece Alison (Chris) and nephews Matt (Jenna) and Ryan.
He was predeceased by his mother and father, his big sister Barbara, his brother-in-law Jack, and his sister-in-law Margie. A Celebration of Life will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, October 11 2025 at The Lone Buffalo, 808 LaSalle St., Ottawa, Illinois. Memorials may be made to a disabled veteran's charity of the donor's choice.