Gathel "Dave" L. Parker

Gathel “DAVE” L. Parker, Age 87, of North Judson, IN, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at his home surrounded by family. Dave was born on January 23, 1933 in Cullman, AL to the late Sanford and Martha (Parker) Parker. Throughout his childhood he helped out on the family farm. In 1954, he took a bus and transitioned his life from Alabama to North West Indiana. Within the first six months he met Daunita Cox. On their first date, Daunita refused to call Gathel by his name and decided she would call him “Dave”. Several weeks after meeting, he spent his last $10.00 to pay the minister to marry them. Dave lived with his new name for the remainder of their marriage which lasted 61 years prior to Daunita’s death in 2015. Dave had many different hobbies. He spent his career of 42 years working as an operator for the LTV Steel Mill. He liked country music, traveling, working on mechanical things, riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, riding on the lawn tractor, and performing magic tricks to any man, woman, child, or animal who would give him attention. He was also a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge in Griffith and spent time in his younger years playing poker, horse shoe, and pitching at a softball game. Animals and children gravitated to him and his family surely did love him. He will be truly missed. He leaves behind his children; Debbie (Gerry) O’Quinn, Steve (Pat) Parker, Jeff Parker; grandchildren, Jason Simmons, Sheila Parker, David Parker, Andy Parker, Shannon Danley, Vickie Jackson, Joshua Baker, Michael and Brian O’Quinn,Chrissy Kamboures; along with many many great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Gathel is welcomed in to eternity by his wife, Daunita Parker; brothers, Bill and Gene Parker, and sister, Laconia Flannigan. Family and friends will be received on Monday, May 18, 2020 from 4PM – 7 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home – 8178 Cline Ave. Crown Point, IN 46307. A funeral service will take place the following morning on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 10AM. Pastor Randy Harrison will be officiating. Burial to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Chapel Lawn Funeral Home is entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Please visit www.chapellawnFunerals.com to leave kind words of condolences along with memories. Visit www.mem.com/09183567 to see a special collage and submit memories and photos for the family to see.