Don Cody Parr

Don Cody Parr was born January 8, 1938, and left this world to hold the hand of his Lord and Savior on May 17, 2026. Cody was born to Syble and Don Parr, in Hollis, Oklahoma. It wasn’t too long before Don moved his wife and young son to Oklahoma City, where Cody lived until the day of his death.

Cody grew up doing everything his dad did! This included learning how to fix anything, “jury-rig,” re-build most anything, and fix a car-or start it from scratch!

Every Sunday was Lord’s Day and Cody grew up in church! He was young when he professed his faith in Jesus and he never strayed from this. He was a Sunday School teacher and a Deacon at his church, West Tenth Baptist.

Cody went to Putnam City Schools where he was in the band and was also a wrestler. It didn’t take long until Cody had only two loves: cars and Elizabeth Wilson. He married Liz when he was 18 years old, after dating her every weekend at the skating rink, sometimes walking the distance before he got a car. He and Lizzie were married for 57 years until she made her Angel Flight to Heaven.

Don Cody was in the National Guard, the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. He was very proud to serve, loved the United States and the flag that flies proudly in his front yard today.

When Cody was 16, he received the job (a job he didn’t much like) of “2nd dad and big brother” to his kid sister, Denise. He continued this job together with Lizzie sometimes blurring the lines between “parent” or “brother” for Denise! But eventually though, his “real job” came along - a baby boy, the love of his life, Steven. His boy meant everything to him and especially when Steve stayed with Cody 24/7 during the six-week hospital stay before his death. One day, Cody and Lizzie had the happiest day ever. They were going to be grandparents! Craig was born and Cody’s life was complete. Craig became Cody’s great joy and Cody became “Pa” to Craig.

When Liz left this world on November 4, 2014, Cody believed he would never be happy again. But his life made a U-turn and a friendship from the old days gave him a call. In June 2016, Cody and Patsy were married. He was preceded in death by Patsy when she left the world four days before him. Cody often said, “how many men could say they had the love of two great women.”

The biggest part of Cody’s life centered around cars, racing, hotrods, street rods, nostalgic cars, and, of course, Parr Automotive! Together with his dad, Cody is considered one of the innovators in the sport of drag racing. He won numerous trophies and awards, including the World Record for AA Altered Roadster. He won his class in the 1956 NHRA Nationals, also the NHRA and AHRA National Records and he held a spot on the Drag News Standard 1320 Junior Gas List.

The awards Cody won with Parr Automotive Hi-Performance would fill a warehouse!! He was very proud of these hundreds of awards and displayed as many as he could at the shop. One of his favorite awards was the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Hall of Fame award. He and Liz also won the Lifetime Achievement Award at one of the SEMA shows. Cody was quoted in the American Speed Shop book by Bob McClurg as saying, “I’ve had a great time all these years and wouldn’t have traded it for anything!”

Cody was preceded in death by his parents and leaves to carry on his legacy his son Steve, grandson, Craig, sister Denise, many cousins, and a multitude of friends and racers! He would want all of you to know that he appreciates and cares deeply for all of you and thanks for a Great Life!

Visitation will be at Bill Merritt Funeral Service on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A service Celebrating Cody’s life will be in the Chapel of Bill Merritt Funeral Service on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.