Donald Parquet

Donald (Don) Parquet was born December 28, 1921 in Dubuque, Iowa. He was married to Clara Jeanette (Jean) Black in 1943 and they had five children; Dianne, David, Stephen, Rebecca, and Daniel.
He started working after high school at age 17 as an apprentice draftsman, became a senior designer, and during WWII was in the Army Corps of Engineers. He attended the Engineer Schools at Ft. Belvoir and served in GHQ in the Philippines where he did reconnaissance work. He also was in the occupation forces in Japan after their surrender.
He pursued education in engineering and personal development much of his life. He graduated in engineering from International Correspondence Schools, took and later taught Dale Carnegie courses, and took college extension and night school subjects. He had a California real estate license, was a certified taxidermist, and was active in Toastmasters. He also taught a college hydraulic course.
Don worked in many industries and designed mechanical devices from steel fabrication to pressure vessels, engines, farm machinery, aerospace pumps and valves, farm and construction tractor hydraulics, and held 30 domestic and foreign patents. His latest position was manager of the hydraulic engineering department at J.I. Case Company. He was known as a good man to work for, strict but fair, who treated people according to the Golden Rule.
Don was also a wood craftsman, and when he retired he opened a shop where he made special cabinets, clocks, and restored furniture. In later years, he made custom bird houses.
He always gave credit to his wife, Jean, who supported his efforts and stood by his side all their married life. He was a man who pursued his dreams with a passion but never lost sight of humanity as he achieved his goals. He enjoyed hearing and telling a good joke or funny story and was ready to help anyone who sought his assistance. He hated pretense, unfairness, and oppression and had little time for those who practiced it.
Services will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, January 26th, at Parkland Village (3121 NE Cumulus Ave. McMinnville, OR). Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society.