Donald A. Parker
GRAY – Donald A. Parker, 76, of Gray, passed away peacefully on Oct. 11, 2022 at Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, N.C. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Donald also fought Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years and was fortunate to receive a life changing DBS procedure in 2011.
Donald was born on March 4, 1946 to Rodger A. Parker and Jeanne N. Parker in Lynn, Mass. After graduating from Ipswich High School in 1965, he attended New England College in Henniker, N.H. In 1969, he graduated with a degree in business administration.
Donald was a Vietnam War Veteran, drafted into the Army and quickly promoted to a rank of sergeant. He served from September of 1969 to April of 1971. He was awarded three medals during his service, including the Bronze Star.
Donald held various jobs in his lifetime starting with brick mason, multiple years in management at Kmart Corporation in Pennsylvania, industrial sales positions in Maine, and ending his career with General Insulation in Lewiston. Following his retirement, he briefly consulted for Elgen Manufacturing Company of New Jersey. Donald was always well respected by his co-workers and customers alike.
In 1971, he met Ethel Ann Parker, and they wed in December of 1972. Together, they enjoyed raising three children, Andrea, Matthew, and Benjamin in Portland and Cumberland. In 2003, Ethel Ann Parker passed away from ovarian cancer.
In 2012, he met Kathy Taylor of Gray and they wed in 2021. They were “snowbirds” residing in both Gray and Sneads Ferry, N.C. at the time of his passing.
Donald’s favorite lifetime hobbies included anything to do with boats, woodworking (including building his own wooden boat), projects around the house, photography, listening to music, eating dessert and spending time with family and treasured friends.
Donald was predeceased by his parents Jeanne N. Parker and Rodger A. Parker; his sister, Patricia Parker, his brother, Leonard Parker; and his wife, Ethel Ann Parker.
He is survived by his sister, Janet Spence of Ossipee, N.H.; his wife, Kathy Taylor of Gray; his daughter, Andrea D. Parker and her husband, Dean Michaud of Fort Myers, Fla., his son, Matthew B. Parker and his wife, Betsy of South Portland, his son, Benjamin L. Parker and his wife, Monica of Yarmouth; his six grandsons, Ethan, Spencer, Camden, Theodore, Nathan, and Travis; and many cherished lifelong friends.
Services with military honors will be held for Donald A. Parker at the White Pine Community Church, 94 Cumberland Rd., North Yarmouth, at 2 p.m. on Friday Oct. 28. A reception will follow in the church’s community room.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to
Maine Parkinson Society at
parkinsonsociety.org.
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