Edgar Lee Parker

Edgar Lee Parker, age 86, of Newtown, PA, formerly of Fort Worth, TX, passed away on August 26, 2025 at St. Mary's Hospital in Langhorne, PA after a short illness.

Ed was raised in Collingswood, NJ where he met his wife of 65 years, Edith "Louise" Cranmer. Ed overcame his considerable dislike of school, having been disciplined for repeatedly playing hooky in the first grade, and graduated from Collingswood High School in 1956. He was later elected into its athletic hall of fame (tennis). After graduating from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, Ed accepted employment as an engineer with the Alpha Portland Cement company that was constructing a large integrated manufacturing plant on the banks of the Hudson River. After the plant was completed, he accepted long-term employment and Ed and Louise moved to a home overlooking the river in Saugerties, NY where they raised their three children. Ed was continually promoted over those years and ultimately became the plant manager and then a regional manager for the company. In 1982, Ed and Louise moved to the State of Texas where they resided for the next 38 years as Ed managed many integrated facilities across the mid- and south-western states. During these years, he also traveled to far and exotic places such as Alaska, Indonesia and Zimbabwe sharing his expertise with many different client companies. He was also proud to serve as the Chair of the IEEE convention during these years.

Ed had an impressive range of skills, including multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, civil, chemical and electrical) and architecture. He excelled at drawing, carpentry and construction. He was very inventive and could design and build most anything. There was no project too big or difficult for him to tackle as he completed many major home additions and renovations, including for his children. He loved spending time in his Fort Worth workshop where he built many types of furniture for friends and family, much of which from wood he collected from around the World. Every year he constructed a Christmas Village complete with miniatures and holiday towns each planned and executed with the same methodic precision he used throughout his working life.

His family will remember him most for his wisdom, unselfishness and good humor. He especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, traveling across the country many times each year to see them. He was able to see many of his grandsons' games from little league through high school, attended many of his son's college baseball and football games and was able to see his grandson compete in the Little League World Series in Williamsport. He watched his granddaughters' grow up nearby in Fort Worth and become cheerleaders at two major universities. He enjoyed playing golf with friends and family and was a longtime season ticket holder of the baseball and football teams at Texas Christian University and lifelong fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ed was predeceased by his parents, Clayton B. and Grace B. Parker, and his sister, Elizabeth "Betty" McNamara.

He is survived by his wife, Louise; his children Susan Louise (Doug) Brandt, John Edgar (Christina) Parker, and Nancy Lee (Brett) McClung; his brothers C. Stephen ("Steve") Parker and John "Jack" Parker; his brother in-law Jack McNamara; his grandchildren Rebecca Tharpe, Chelsea (Vail) Rooney, Christopher John (Ashley) Brandt, Benn Cranmer Parker, Cal Brooks Parker, Jackson Lee Parker, Madison Lamb and Mackenzie Jones; his great grandchildren Remington Tharpe, Tatum Rooney and Parker Rooney; and six nieces and nephews.

Interment is private. A memorial service will be held on a later date.

Family services entrusted to the care of Swartz-Givnish Funeral Home, Newtown, PA.

1-800-GIVNISH