Donald W. Parker, Sr.
1940 - 2026
It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Donald W. Parker, Sr., age 86, of Fancy Gap, Virginia. He passed away on July 3, 2026 surrounded by his family.
Dad was born on February 1, 1940, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, to William H. and Beatrice (née Fall). He was the second of six children. After graduating high school in Mt. Pleasant, Dad enlisted in the Navy, joining his older brother, Del, on the USS Meredith. After his service, he settled in Philadelphia, PA., where he met and married our mother, Joyce M. Beech. Together, they had us children, Lisa Marie, Maria Anne, Wendy Joyce, and Donald W, Jr.. He worked hard and faithfully to support his family, first in sales, then for many years as a Field Service Engineer before retiring from Johnson March. For a brief while, before his time with Johnson March, he owned and operated a solar heating and alternative fuels company.
Dad was loyal and caring. Always there to celebrate with his family and friends. It didn’t matter if it was a big celebration such as a wedding, or a smaller event such as a dance recital or school concert, he traveled, sometimes for hours, to be there. If it was important to his loved ones, it was important to him.
He lived simply and sparingly, though was not sparing in his generosity. If there was a financial need, a transportation need, or a task needed, Dad offered, freely, what he could. If you wanted some trees planted or a pond dug, Dad would hook up his backhoe to his beat-up old truck and head your way. Your kitchen needs a reno? Dad’s there. Your dog needs a new home? Dad’s got a bowl and bed ready for him. This generosity extended beyond family and friends. He also made efforts to help a stranger or someone he heard of who needed assistance.
Dad enjoyed travel. His first trip was at age 14 when he and his childhood friend, Royal Grandy, hitchhiked from Michigan to Florida! He managed to do so with just a couple dollars in his pocket. It’s not something he would have recommended to us kids, but it was something he didn’t regret. As an adult, during his time at Johnson March, he was able to travel to places around the world such as Mexico, the Middle East and China, usually for months at a time. Spending much of that time in China, he developed an affinity for her people, appreciating their kindness, humor, and culture. He would often bring back special gifts of silk and art. He developed a close friendship with his Chinese interpreter and maintained a correspondence with him for a number of years.
Throughout his life, music was a method for soothing his soul. Though Country and Western was his first love, Dad enjoyed listening to Folk, Jazz and, also, choral music. Always finding ways to grow and stretch himself, he taught himself guitar as a young man, challenged himself to karaoke in his midyears, and joined the Highland Camerata in recent years in Galax, VA. And Dad loved to dance. This love was developed at an early age when he and his friend Royal would join their mothers in the social dance halls in central Michigan. After retiring to Fancy Gap, he continued his enjoyment of dance in the dance halls of the area. He made many good friends there and through them learned a little bit of flatfooting.
At his core, up to the moments before his death, Dad was a man of humor. Humor was his natural language and preferred method of dispensing his wisdom. His humor was observational, though never hurtful nor disparaging, but you’d get the point if there was a point to be had. Some of the most precious gifts Dad left us are the birthday and Christmas cards he made for each of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The cards he personally created were filled with sentiments or encouragements that reflected just how much he quietly observed each of us and our individual personalities as well as the events that were going on in our lives. Of course, it wasn’t a Dad card if it didn’t include some good-natured ribbing. These birthday/Christmas greetings were eagerly anticipated each year and always left us with a good laugh. We are deeply grateful for the time Dad took to make sure he communicated, in his own special way, how much he truly saw us and loved us.
Dad loved dearly and was dearly loved. He will be deeply, deeply missed. A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor at a date to be determined. If anyway is so moved and would like to honor his memory, the family is suggesting a donation to an animal shelter or nature conservancy of your choice. Dad would have been grateful for that. And, if you have a good “Dad Joke” to tell, tell it. Dad would have appreciated that, too.