Alan Parker

Alan Leslie Parker, 85 (Bud to his parents and siblings, and Al or Big Al to his friends), died peacefully in his sleep December 29, 2008, at the Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, Kansas. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 31, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Visitation is 4-7 pm on Friday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a rosary service at 5 p.m. and military honors at 6 p.m. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Alan was born March 25, 1923, to Claude Parker and Alma Duba Parker in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Franklin Sr. High School in 1940 and then graduated from Coe College in 1948 with degrees in chemistry and biology. During his first year of college, Alan answered his country's call and enlisted in the Army Air Corp. As a second and then first lieutenant, Alan flew numerous combat missions over France and Belgium as a bombardier-navigator in the B-26 Marauder (also known as the 'widow maker'). Often, he was the lead bombardier. He received two Air Medals for his service in action. In 1947 after the war, Alan met and married Joanne M. McDonnell of Cedar Rapids. He returned to Coe College to complete his education, and began working for Wyatt Pharmaceuticals. His first child, Leslie Ann Parker, was born in 1950 in Cedar Rapids. Alan was recalled to serve in 1951 for the Korean War. Because of his scientific education, he was assigned to weapons testing and based at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds testing facility in Maryland and, later, at the climatic testing hanger at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. His second child, Alan L. Parker II, was born in 1952 at Aberdeen Proving Grounds Maryland and his third child, Steven J. Parker, was born at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. In 1955, he opted for a career as a regular Air Force Officer and transferred to the Strategic Air Command at Mather Air Force Base in California for training as a bombardier and navigator for the B-52. In 1956, while still in training, Alan and his wife, Joanne, suffered a serious automobile accident. Alan sustained a head injury that required a lengthy and difficult rehabilitation. Until his death, he struggled with memory loss and partial paralysis, the latter which made speaking and walking challenging. Alan was retired from the Air Force with the permanent rank of Captain in 1958 with an 80-percent disability. His fourth child, Virginia R. Parker, was born in 1957 at Mather Air Force Base in California. After his retirement, Alan and his family moved back to Cedar Rapids. His last child, Gerald E. Parker, was born in 1959 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1968, the Parker family moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where Alan first experienced work as a men's clothing salesman, in which he enjoyed much success. In 1972, Alan and Joanne divorced, and Alan moved back to Cedar Rapids where he became a downtown fixture selling men's clothing at Killian's department store until its closure. Alan was one of the first tenants in the Cedar River Tower. He lived on the 17th floor for more than 25 years until he moved to the Catholic Care Assisted Living Facility in Bel Aire, Kansas, near his oldest son. Alan had many friends in downtown Cedar Rapids. Alan was a loving father and grandfather with a great sense of humor. He loved jokes and loved to joke around. One time, two weeks prior to a visit from his youngest daughter, Alan spelled out her nickname in the grass park across the street from the Tower with lawn fertilizer. When she visited, Alan insisted that she look out his window. The fertilized grass sprouted up very green, making her name quite legible from the 17th floor. Alan was a wonderful grandpa and communicated often with cards and notes, usually with a $2 bill enclosed. He always found humor in his grandchildren and the complications they inflicted on his children. Alan was a great father-in-law and could always be counted on to help out and assist in any way he could. Alan had fortitude. He struggled through many years of life with a difficult disability, sometimes gracefully, sometimes not. Through it all he kept his faith in God and was known to attend Mass daily if he could. Two days before his death he asked for and received the sacraments. Alan is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Alma Parker; brother, Gerald Parker; wife, Joanne Parker; son, Gerald E. Parker; and grandson, Curtis James Parker. He is survived by his sister, Helen Sorensen, of Iowa City, IA; daughter, Leslie Carpenter of Lake Forest Park, WA; son, Alan L. Parker II (Chip), of Moundridge, KS; son, Steven Parker, of Montegut, LA; and daughter, Virginia Guidry, of Spring Valley, CA. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew's in memory of Alan. Military honors by American Legion Hanford Post #5.