Obituary of Donald Thomas Parker
Donald Thomas Parker
Donald Thomas “Don” Parker, 76, of Milwaukie, Oregon, entered Heaven’s gates at 4:32am on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, while at home and surrounded by family.
Don was born in Seattle, WA to Fred and Kathryn (Phare) Parker on June 7th, 1945, while Don’s father was on loan to Boeing during WWII. After the war, they returned home to Erie, PA. In 1958 the family moved to Hamilton, MT where Don’s father took up co-ownership of the Parker family’s Bitterroot Cherry Cannery in Hamilton.
As a child Don participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, later receiving the highest honor in Scouts of becoming an Eagle Scout. He loved riding his motorcycle, hiking, and kayaking, and worked at the family cannery each summer.
In 1963 Don graduated from Hamilton High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Technology from Montana State University. After graduation, Don worked at the Atomic Reactor site in Idaho Falls, ID as a Nuclear Reactor Engineer. Five years later he was offered a position as Test Engineer at Cornell Pump Company in Milwaukie, Oregon where he was a loyal employee for 32 years until his retirement in 2005.
Don was a gifted machinist who enjoyed metal working in his free time and building model engines from scratch. He loved spending time with his family, exploring the mountains in Montana, and gospel music. Don was an active member of Milwaukie Covenant Church where he was known as the friendly smile welcoming each person at the church entrance on Sunday mornings.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Janet, of 44 years whom he met during a summer visit home to Hamilton, MT in 1976, and married in 1977. He is also survived by his daughter Tina Jacques (Dave), son Eric Parker (Hannah); sister in-law Ilene Schrader (Rolland); brother-in-law Loren Bridge (Elaine); niece Lisa Rigby (Jason), nephew Derik Schrader (Suzy), and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents Fred T. Parker, Kathryn (Phare) Parker, and brother Darrel Parker.
He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, for his humor, compassion, eagerness to help others, and his faith in Christ.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 25th, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Milwaukie Covenant Church at 12201 SE Linwood Ave, Milwaukie, OR 97222.
A graveside service will also be held at a later time in Hamilton, Montana.
In lieu of flowers/gifts, contributions in memory of Don can be made to either:
Providence Portland Medical Foundation – Cancer Research: (https://give.providencefoundations.org/portland)
Samaritan’s Purse - Operation Heal Our Patriots:
(https://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/operation-heal-our-patriots/)
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Providence Portland Hospice and Milwaukie Covenant Church for their loving care and support.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Parker, please visit Tribute Store
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