Dennis Raymond Parker was born in Gulfport, Mississippi April 28th 1951 to Dorothy Elaine McDonald. At a young age Dennis and the family moved to Baton Rouge, LA to live on the campus of Louisiana State University while his father Robert was finishing his education. Immediately after college, the family moved to Mobile, AL where he lived until the age of 16. The family then moved to Colorado Springs where he entered Wasson High school. At Wasson, Dennis had a passion for football, a passion that began for his love of University of Alabama football while living in Mobile. He quickly became the captain of the football team and in his senior year he met his future wife Debbra Lynn Smart in English class. One of 6, Dennis had one older sister Constance, one younger brother James, and three younger sisters, Rebecca, Ruth, and Jennifer. Dennis decided to attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, while Debbra attended University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. Their relationship continued to blossom throughout the first year of college, and they were engaged to be married during the winter of 1971. It was at Colorado State, Dennis began to learn the sport of handball, a physical education course at the time at CSU. After graduating from Colorado State University, they married in June of 1973. Dennis went to work at Downtown Radio in Denver, and Debbie began teaching. In 1975, Dennis and Debbie bought a 1970 Oldsmobile 442, and discovered that they could race the car just a few miles away from home at Bandimere Speedway. It was a hobby that soon became an obsession. Throughout their 20s, Dennis enjoyed playing handball and racing with Debbie. In the fall of 1980, Dennis and Debbra welcomed their first Son, Clint Austin Parker. Four years later, came their second son, Cody Reynolds Parker. The family passion for racing began to form from the early days of racing at Bandimere Speedway in the 80s and 90s. Dennis also passed along his passion for handball to his sons, who took to the game quickly and they played a few times a week together in various clubs. Dennis won the drag racing track championship in 1997 along with the Chuck Silva “Performer of the year Award” given to the one racer who had the best season. In 2003, Dennis was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, a disease that they began to address with minor treatments. In 2005, older son Clint was involved in an accidental fire at Bandimere, where he, Cody and Debbra worked at the time. Clint passed away from his related injuries in late 2005. In that same year, Dennis had begun working at Denver Volvo as a warranty administrator, a job he enjoyed and continued as long as his body would allow. Dennis, Debbra, and Cody continued to drag race for the past 8 years, as well as play in numerous handball tournaments together. In 2012, Dennis and Debbra welcomed their first granddaughter Savannah Rene, and 17 months later met their new grandson Kaleb Clint. In the last five years, the treatment for Dennis’ disease became harsher and longer, culminating in a bone marrow transplant in January of 2013. After a long and hard fought battle, Dennis passed away peacefully at home, as a result of complications from the transplant November 15, 2013.
Dennis is survived by his loving family; wife Debbra L. Parker, son Cody (Emily) Parker, grandchildren; Savannah Rene, and Kaleb Clint Parker, sisters; Connie (John) Aycock, Rebecca Parker, Ruth (Paul) Corcoran, and Jennifer Parker, brother James (Deborah) Parker. Dennis was preceded in death by his son, Clint Austin Parker, and his parents, Robert and Dorothy Parker.
Visitation Tuesday, November 19, 2013, from 4pm to 7pm at Olinger Crown Hill. Services Wednesday, November 20, 2013, 10am in the Pavilion of Relfection located on the grounds of Olinger Crown Hill. He will laid to rest at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery immediately following the Pavilion of Reflection service. Everyone is invited to join the family for a reception following the interment in the reception center at Olinger Crown Hill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dennis's name to the Colorado Handball Association, Youth Development, 5425 S. Geneva St., Englewood, CO 80111, 720-270-4404 or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rocky Mountain Chapter, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 500-S, Denver, CO 80246, 720-440-8620.
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