Ronald Lee Parker

Ronald Lee (Ronnie) Parker of Weatherford, Texas, passed from this life on Thursday, November 1, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.

Ronnie was born March 21, 1933, in Memphis, Texas, to Earl and Lorene Parker. The family moved to Abilene in 1940. Ronnie graduated from Abilene High School in 1951 and Abilene Christian College in 1955. He played trumpet and baritone in high school and in the ACC band where he met June Small, who also played baritone. They married on August 7, 1953, in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Ronnie began his preaching career while still a student and preached for the church of Christ in Gail, Texas. After graduation, he preached in Whitharral and Post, Texas.

In 1960 the family moved to Copenhagen, Denmark to work with the church there (Kristi Kirke). They moved to Dimmitt, Texas in 1965 where Ronnie preached until 1974 when he retired from full-time ministry. 

Because Ronnie and June wanted to raise their children in the small-town atmosphere, they chose to remain in Dimmitt. He opened Ronnie Parker Insurance where he worked successfully for twenty-three years, making the Million Dollar Round Table five consecutive years. He moved the agency to Weatherford in 1997. 

He was an active member of South Main Church of Christ. He taught adult bible classes and made three mission trips to Monterrey, Mexico. He also attended and supported the Weatherford Iglesia de Cristo.

Ronnie was active in community affairs. He served on the 1960 White House Council on Children and Youth. He was President of the Rotary Club in Post and Dimmitt. He established and was first president of Toastmasters in Dimmitt. He was a frequent Master of Ceremonies for DHS Sports Banquets and many civic events. He was Castro County Citizen of the Year in 1981.

Ronnie was a kind, compassionate, gentle servant. He loved people and always saw the best in others. As a minister, he visited everyone in the hospital, regardless of church affiliation. For more than twenty years, he performed countless baptisms, weddings, and memorial services. He was mild-mannered with a dry sense of humor and quick wit. He loved sports of all kinds. 

He traveled the highways from the Texas Panhandle to Austin, to Arkansas and all points in between to watch his own children play football, basketball and run track, and to support Dimmitt and Nazareth teams. Relationships with family and friends were important to Ronnie. He and June spent many hours playing bridge, 42, and golf, and enjoyed taking trips to vacation spots with friends.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Earlene Cabaness; brother-in-law, Ralph Cabaness; and grandson, Curtis Whitt. 

He is survived by: Dawn and Mike Sutherland; Kristen and Jeff Peelle, Michael, Bradley, and Heidi; Haley Sutherland Cliff and Pat Parker; Julia and Jackson McMinn, Liam and Henry; Paul Parker; Matt and Caly Parker, Ada Rose; Ellen Parker and fiancée, Chuck Grossman; Ben Parker; Nita and Todd Whitt; Kayla Whitt; Brenda Schrader and Dean Bratton; Joshua Schrader and fiancée, Victoria Lancaster; Amy and Jayton May; “adopted” granddaughter, Whitney Carter; a sister, Evelyn; and Thomas McIntire. 

He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends who are like family.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Ronnie Parker on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., at Oak Ridge Church of Christ, 4895 I-20 Service Road N, Willow Park, Texas, 76087. There will be no viewing but you are invited to visit with the family at 9:00 a.m., prior to the celebration. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to NewDay Services for Children and Families, 6816 Camp Bowie Blvd W, Suite 112, Fort Worth, Texas, 76116.