Donald William Parker

Donald William Parker, a lifetime resident of Springville, Utah, passed away peacefully at the Utah Valley Specialty Hospital in Provo, Utah on April 7, 2025 at the age of 86. He was born on May 14, 1938 in Springville. He was the 3rd son of Lindsay Charles Parker and Inez Wheeler and grew up with his older brother, Jack, and two younger sisters, Mary and Linda. As a child, Don enjoyed scouting and fishing, and took an early interest in sports. He attended Lincoln and Grant Elementary Schools, Springville Jr. High, and Springville High School, graduating in 1956. While in high school, he participated in the sports of football, basketball, and baseball. After high school graduation, he attended Brigham Young University for two years before going on a mission to the Central Atlantic States of Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia.

Upon completion of his mission, he attended one more semester at BYU and then joined the Utah National Guard, completing 6 months of active duty at Fort Ord, CA. Shortly after the completion of his training, President John F. Kennedy activated a number of National Guard units in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Donald spent 11 months on active duty at Fort Lewis, Washington during 1961 and 1962 serving as a clerk. Prior to his military service, Donald met Janet Gale of Springville. They communicated by letter during his active service and after Don completed military duty, they dated and were married in the Manti Temple on February 8, 1963.

With Janet’s assistance and support, Don graduated from BYU in the spring of 1964 with a Bachelors in Education and later obtained his Masters in Education Administration from BYU. Don’s job experience included working as a 5th grade teacher at Mapleton Elementary, as an assistant clerk to the treasurer of Nebo Credit Union, and as a 4th grade teacher at Westside Elementary School in Springville. He later took an offered position as the manager of the Nebo Credit Union in 1983 and served the district tirelessly and compassionately in that capacity until his retirement in 1998.

Donald’s life was one of service to his wife and family of 7 children, and to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He dutifully and lovingly grew a beautiful garden each year until he died. He enjoyed sharing his harvest with many neighbors and friends. Donald carried out many church callings over the years, but he particularly enjoyed serving in the bishopric of the Sixteenth Ward and as a counselor and bishop of a BYU singles ward. After retirement he became a temple worker, serving in the Provo and Provo City Center Temples for over 20 years. He was ever interested in genealogy and in finding family connections with the many people he met and spoke with. Don is remembered by fellow LDS members as a dedicated membership clerk and ministering brother. He is remembered by his family as an avid and contagious BYU sports fan; a loving husband, father, and grandfather; a ridiculous nickname giver and jingle composer; and lover of back scratches, leisure drives and the indirect route. Mostly though, he is remembered as a man who loved the people around him and the gift of life itself. He determinedly remained productive in spite of many health challenges, including the colorectal cancer that changed the course of his health over the past 18 years. He fought for and valued each day of his life.

Donald is preceded in death by his father and mother, Lindsay and Inez Parker, brother David Parker, brother-in-law Bill Gale, and sister-in-law Janice Parker. He is survived by his brother Jack Parker, and sisters Mary Monson (Tom) and Linda English; wife Janet Parker; his children including Stewart Parker (Debbie), Melissa Bernard (Lynn), Lindsay Parker, Matthew Parker, Meridith Banks (Brian), Amy Morgan (Heath), and Laura Anderson (Warren Bouche); his grandchildren including Samantha Thomas (Cody Schow) and Bailee Parker (Josh Morgan); Spencer (Annie) and Sawyer Bernard; Joseph Parker (Alex), Hannah Muñoz, and Phoebe Parker; Parker Banks (Tara), Sydney Valdez (Josh), and Olivia Morgan (Chad); Benjamin, Connor, Dillon, Emmett, and Ryan Morgan; Gracie, Dani, and Claire Anderson; ten great grandchildren; and multitudes of cousins, nieces and nephews. We celebrate his life of love and service. He will be dearly missed.

Viewings will be held on Friday, April 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday April 12th from 11:30 to 12:30 at the Springville Stake Center on 245 S. 600 E, followed by Funeral services on Saturday at 1:00 and subsequent interment at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

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