Douglas "Dougie" Walter Parker

Mr. Douglas "Dougie" Walter Parker, 65, of Edmonton, AB, Canada, passed away unexpectedly on October 25, 2022. His passing has sent shockwaves through his family and friends. He was extremely private about his health complications.

However, Douglas was extremely public about his love for his family, friends and hobbies.

The final chapter is difficult to begin. We know it comes for us all, yet we hope to stall the inevitable.

Douglas was born on October 3rd 1957 to Douglas Ruben Parker and Lorraine Louise Parker in Edmonton. He studied across the globe in schools such as the American School in Aberdeen, and Gippsland Grammar school in Sale, Victoria; however, he would finish his high school studies back home in Edmonton at McNally Composite High School in 1975. Doug would then attend the University of Alberta to study Business until he graduated in 1979. After graduation, he landed his first job as an Order Desk for National Supply.

It was in Singapore that he met his loving wife Evelyn (Michelle), and where their two children, Allan and Anna, would be brought into the world. And as a father, he was proud to gift his children with a wealth of international experiences, many of which would come as a direct result of his line of work.

His line of work was similar to his father's. Doug would find himself working in the drilling industry, and on his way to becoming a ‘rough neck’. Never staying still for very long, he and his family would find themselves in such places as Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Islamabad, Pakistan, Kuwait, Lagos, Nigeria, Bogotá, Colombia and finally back home in Edmonton. While the traveling may have stopped for his family, it didn’t stop for Doug. He'd continue working abroad for many years, making connections and friends while experiencing a multitude of cultures.

In retirement he found a new passion in music, and quickly became a true audiophile. If you needed someone to help you find the exact angle that your speakers needed to be to get the best acoustic experience and soundscape, Douglas would be your guy. It wouldn’t be an unusual sight to see him with his son Allan, down in the basement moving and angling the speakers to be just right; a spectacle to be repeated whenever the newest set of speakers arrived. It wasn’t all hard work, of course, there was always time for play. With a gin and tonic in one hand, and a bowl of peanuts in the other, he'd let the sound wash over him, before falling asleep and shaking the whole house with his snoring.

Doug’s other joys in life came from his vehicles. He owned a Jeep CJ5 and a Ford Capri and, while they may have sat idle over the years he was living abroad, once he settled back down in his hometown of Edmonton, they would become his pride and joy. Anna soon found herself as a colour consultant, helping him to pick out the next car colour. Tinkering away on his vehicles with music blasting from his garage is the image of Doug that many who knew him will have close to their hearts.

As the years continued and his children graduated and moved away, he became extremely fond of pets. Anna initially brought a husky into their lives called Kodi which brightened the family up. When Kodi passed away years later, a heartbroken family would return to the breeder to "see" what was there. They'd return with another husky called Kassi, which was definitively Doug's dog. He'd make a point of letting everyone know that she was his dog. He also made sure that one of his pockets was somehow always full of treats for her.

Doug was not known to sit idle for too long – a lifetime of world traveling will do that. He took up motorcycle riding and used this new found freedom to travel across Alberta and meet up with friends and relatives. Along the way, he'd find himself camping and taking a plethora of selfies that he'd spam to his unsuspecting family. Every so often Allan would get a text message of Doug's GPS location with the message "All Good".

Douglas was predeceased by his brother Barry, his mother Lorraine, and his father Doug. He is survived by his two children Anna and Allan, his loving wife Michelle, and his granddaughter Maya.

A Viewing will be held Tuesday November 1st, 2022 between 4pm to 8pm at Hainstock's Funeral Home and Crematorium, 9810 34th Ave, Edmonton, AB .

Funeral service will also be held at Hainstock's Funeral Home and Crematorium, 9810 34th Ave, Edmonton, AB the following day, Wednesday November 2nd, 2022 at 10am followed by a lunch reception with Burial to follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery.

For those who cannot attend the service in person the family invites you to watch via this livestream link; https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY2Njk5Nzg0NjIxNjE5NyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==