Ralph Parker, of Euless, Texas, passed away on September 17, 2018 in Grapevine, Texas. Ralph was born November 27, 1929 in Shongaloo, Louisiana to James Andy Parker and Estella Holiday. There were 6 children in his family; 3 boys and 3 girls; Ralph was the “baby boy”. Ralph’s dad was a master carpenter and a blacksmith. As Ralph grew up, he learned many skills by working with his Dad. After graduating high school, Ralph joined the Air Force in 1947 at the age of 17. He served for 21 years in England, Maine, Okinawa, and Texas primarily as a crew chief for fighter planes and as an instructor. In 1951, Ralph married Doris. They had 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys. Ralph retired from the Air Force in 1968 and moved to Euless, Texas, to go to work for Bell Helicopter. While working at Bell Helicopter, Ralph also attended Dallas Baptist College. He graduated in 1976 magna cum laude. In 1977, Bell Helicopter sent Ralph to South Korea as a technical representative to the Korean Army. He, Doris, and their younger daughter, Vicki, lived there for one year. After working at Bell Helicopter for almost 22 years, Ralph retired in May 1990. Since his retirement, Ralph has kept very busy doing things for his family and volunteering many hours at the church in Project Help and wherever else he’s needed. Two very bright lights in Ralph’s life are his two grandsons, Ryan, who is 33, and Austin who is 28.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Doris Parker of Euless, Texas; daughter Lois Brewer of Euless, Texas; daughter Vicki Cody and her husband Kevin of Euless, Texas; grandson Ryan Cook of North Richland Hills, Texas; grandson Austin Cook of Euless, Texas; and sister Loretta Adams of Lompoc, California. He was preceded in death by his sons James Boyd Parker and Joseph Ralph Parker.
The Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 21, 2018 at the funeral home. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Bedford. Interment will follow in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to FUMC - Bedford with Project Help/Ralph Parker in the memo line.
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