Donald Clarence Parker
1935 - 2024

Don enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. Tending to his cattle and horses, sitting on his porch with a glass of ranch water enjoying a beautiful sunset, reminiscing with family, and talking about classic Fords and flathead engines.

Don passed away peacefully at home in North Fork, California on June 8th, 2024, at the age of 89.

He was born on April 18,1935 to Clarence and Elsie Parker. As a small child, he and his family migrated to California during the dust bowl spending time in Delano at the farm labor camps. They also lived in Morro Bay, where Clarence worked on the breakwater. The family eventually relocated to Friant where Clarence worked on the Dam and Clarence and Elsie ran the local tavern. Friant is where Don fell in love with the cowboy life and ranching. From the time he was a child, Don dreamed of owning and running a big cattle ranch. In 2006 he bought 500 acres in Mariposa County. Building his herd and caring for cattle was a dream come true for Don. He was a true cowboy until the end.

Don was stationed in Germany with the United States Army from 1955-1958.

In 1960, Don met his wife, Sue. They were married in Las Vegas and raised 3 boys, Rick, Eric, and Brian. Don was a paving machine operator and was an Operating Engineer for over 50 years. In the slow season, he worked in TV repair at his friend's shop.

Don's hobbies included scuba diving, classic car collecting, raising game birds and team roping. One of his fondest memories was winning the team roping event at Coarsegold Rodeo in 1976.

Don loved Morro Bay. He spent a lot of time in that area scuba diving as a young adult.  Another of Don's dreams was fulfilled when he purchased a place there in 2018. Don and Sue enjoyed a lot of quality time there over the last few years together.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Clarence, mother Elsie and grandson Jake and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sue, his sons Rick (Julie), Eric (Claudia) and Brian (Cassie). 2 brothers Lowell and Charles and 2 sisters, Audrey and Sherrie. He had 1 grandson Jake, 5 granddaughters Candace, Kindra, Krista, Cassie, and Chloe. Great grandsons Logan, Matthew, Travis and Parker, great granddaughters McKenna, Baylee and Emily.

A memorial service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens
175 S. Cornelia Ave, Fresno, California
Tuesday June 18th, 2024, at 10:00 am.

A reception will follow at Moravia Winery
3620 N. Bishop Ave, Fresno, California.