Don Joe Parker

In Loving Memory...

Don Joe Parker was born December 19, 1931, in Enid, Oklahoma the son of Winston and Marcella (Hiltner) Parker. He completed his life on August 19, 2022, at the age of 90.

Don was raised in Enid, where he received most of his schooling. He graduated High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After returning to Enid, Don met and immediately fell in love with Della Rae Crandell. They were married soon after and had 5 children.

As a young man and father, Don worked as the manager for Goodyear Tire and Appliance Store in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Later he moved his family to El Reno, Oklahoma to manage a local furniture and appliance store. He met many friends there while running the store - but one friend in particular, the late Mike Sykes, persuaded Don to apply for a union job with the Rock Island Railroad. Don started his railroad career as a brakeman in the late 60’s/early 70’s. He really loved working for the railroad and created many longtime friendships during his employment.

In his spare time, Don was always working on something… the house, the yard, cars, trucks, tractors - Something always needed to be fixed. There was almost nothing he couldn’t fix or repair.

As Don would say… he was a “Jack of all trades…. Master of none”.

Don also loved the outdoors. He shared his love for the outdoors with his family on camping, fishing and hunting trips. He would often say…” I do a lot of hunting, but very little finding”. He had a big sense of humor and loved a good joke. Many might not know, but Don also loved poetry and loved to write both poetry and clever editorials. The life that Don lived was not always easy, but it was full! He had many ups and downs, but he enjoyed the ride! Don would always accept whatever came his way by simply saying…” well, that’s life. We will all remember his funny, and clever one liners Don was a generous man…always there for family, friends, and neighbors. He would drop what he was doing to come to the need of others… He was truly “One of a Kind!” Don and Della lived mostly in Oklahoma, except for a short time in Wyoming. Don retired from the railroad in 1996. They bought a home in the country between El Reno and Hinton where they spent their retirement years. They loved their country home; it was their perfect “to grow old together” home.

Don was a Catholic man of faith. He believed in The Father; He believed in Jesus Christ, and he believed in the Holy Spirit.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Della Rae on September 30, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his son, Eric Van Parker and his parents.

Don is survived by his daughters – Toni Brattin-Casso of Oklahoma City and Kay Holbrook of Yukon, and his sons – Don Parker, Jr. of Wyoming, Jim Parker of Yukon and Bob Parker of Piedmont. Don was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Graveside service were Monday, August 22, 2022 @ 2:00pm at the Niles Cemetery near Cedar Lake, Oklahoma, under direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home El Reno

(Paid Obituary)