Don Parker

Don Ray Parker, 73, of Bertram was called home on December 6, 2022, in Cedar Park, TX.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Jenkins Funeral Home in Burnet, TX

There will be a gathering at Hill Country Community Foundation Reed Building, 402 E. Jackson in Burnet. All are welcome to attend.

He was born on August 28, 1949, in Falfurrias, TX to Wesley Parker and Mattie Jewel Lee Parker. He graduated in 1968 from Three Rivers High School and attended college at Bee County Junior College. Don joined the United States Army after college and became a very decorated soldier.  Proudly serving in Vietnam, he also became an Army Ranger, Airborne Ranger, Jungle Expert and was also a Sergeant.  After returning from the Army, he began working for Missouri Pacific Railroad out of Kingsville, TX in 1971.  The following year, he met the love of his life, Arlene Marie Drzymalla and they were married on May 20, 1972.  In March of 1973, they had their world and only child Russell Wayne Parker.  Don had many occupations throughout his life. Railroad Worker, police officer in Bertram, truck driver, ranch manager at the Anderson Double Arrow Ranch in Lott, TX for 10 years.  After the ranch, he worked for ROW (Right of Way) Contracting out of Burnet, TX for 18 years.  He retired in January of 2021.  After a year of retirement, he went back to work as a part time delivery driver for Advanced Auto Parts in Georgetown, TX.  Don loved his ranch, woodworking in his shop, drag racing, Texas Longhorn football, playing softball, fishing, hunting, and traveling.  He was the biggest jokester, loved playing fetch with his dog Jojo, eating cookies, being the biggest cowboy and enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.  His family was his whole life. He was a member of the American Legion, IHRA Motorsports, and FFA in high school. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wesley Parker and Mattie Jewel Lee Parker.

Don is survived by his wife and love of his life of 50 and ½ years, Arlene Parker; son, Russell Wayne Parker (Barbara Briggs special friend); grandchildren, Curtis Wesley Parker (fiancée Cameron Turner, future granddaughter in law), Jessica Marie Parker (Augie Arreaga future grandson in law); sister, Bobbie Ruth Franke and husband, Edgar Franke; nephews, Michael and Mark Franke; niece, Kimberley Franke and their families, Tracy Johnston (god-daughter), and numerous other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any animal rescue, Vets of Foreign Wars, or any Texas Law Enforcement Agency.  The family thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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