Obituary for George R. Parker
ξ Sioux City, IA - George Raymond Parker passed peacefully Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at Char Mac Assisted Living in Lawton, Iowa at the age of 85. Funeral services will be Sunday, April 21, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Anthon with Pastor Len Garrison officiating. Burial will follow a horse drawn procession to Oak Hill Cemetery near Anthon. Military graveside honors will be provided by the American Legion McNiff Post #389 of Anthon. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the funeral home. In honor of George, the familyξinvitesξanyone attending to wear their boots and jeans. On line condolences can be directed to the family at http://www.armstrongfuneral.com/. ξξξξ George was born in Danbury, Iowa June 24, 1927 to George R. Parker and Mary L. McDermott.ξ He moved to rural Anthon, Iowa with his mother and sisters after the death of his father.ξ George attended a one room country school, either walking or riding his pony to school every day.ξ He loved reading, writing and arithmetic, and had beautiful penmanship. Of course, he participated in school yard antics as well. Growing up, George had a couple of nicknames, Juny and Red, Juny for being named after his father and Red for his hair color. ξξξξ At age 19 George joined the Navy and spentξ2 years serving his country. He and his son Mike were able to visit his ship, the USS Fall River CA - 131, on the west coast a few years ago. Following his discharge from the Navy, George returned to the Anthon area.ξξ ξξξξξHe met Louise 'Maxine' Lindgren of Kingsley, Iowa in 1953. They were married June 12, 1954.ξ To this union 3 children were born; Mitzi Lou, Michael Ray, and Amy Sue. George saw Maxine's family as his family and spent countless hours withξMaxine's brothers and sisters and their families. George and Maxine later divorced. ξ ξξξξ George wasξvery handy and could fix almost anything. He worked very hard and most of the time 7 days a week---there were no banker's hours for him. ξξξξ George and Maxine traveled the midwest with Booth and Olsen Road Construction for 5 years. George drove his pickup pulling their small mobile home and Maxine followed driving their '57 Chevy with Mitzi in tow. They returned to Anthon in 1959 so Mitzi could start school. They raised all 3 of their children in Anthon. ξξξξ George owned and operated Parker Custom Grinding and Feed and sold BP Feeds for many years. He then started George Parker Custom Dirt Moving doing custom dirt work for local farmers building terraces, damns and many other projects. Each of George's kids were involved in his businesses working alongside of him. George had a rule for his kids, if you want to learn to drive, you must master a stick shift. And they each did, including how to drive his semi pulling the flatbed trailer. ξξξξ In his 60's and 70's George drove semis for a couple ofξ local businessmen. His dog Sugar Babe, was usually with him. He retired from driving after a fall from the top of a tanker, suffering very serious injuries. George loved driving semi and yearned to continue doing so.ξGrandpa George promised Cade his pickup, but unfortunately totalled it and walked away unscathed! His kids swore George was a cat with 9 lives! Not being able to drive was very difficult for George. ξξξξ George loved hunting, fishing, fast horses, fast cars and Harleys. His kids and grandsons inherited the same loves. His kids learned to ride and drive horses from an early age. George, Mike and Amy participated in chuckwagon and chariot races, winning many events.ξ Mitzi and her son Derek were part of the grandstand cheering squad. Races were all over the tri-state area.ξ Many great friends were made in the racing world.ξ At one point, George owned 20 horses, just "because he could". ξξξξ He was a member of the American Legion McNiff Post #389 of Anthon and the Northwest Iowa Pony Chuckwagon Association. ξξξξ George moved to Char Mac Assisted Living in Lawton, Iowa in 2008 due to declining eyesight and health.ξ At the time of his death, he was still keeping Char Mac staff on their toes! Thank you Char Mac for all you did. ξξξξ Survivors include daughters, Mitzi McGill and Amy Parker, both of Sioux City, Iowa; grandsons Derek McGill and wife Rachel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Cade Parker of Sioux City, Iowa; and great-granddaughter Ashlynn McGill, son in law Dennis McGill, brother in law John Lindgren of Kingsley, Iowa; and numerous cousins,ξnieces and nephews on the Parker and Lindgren sides. ξξξξ Preceding him in death were his parents, his son Michael Parker, his sisters Peggy Parker and Margaret Rickabaugh, his step dad Arlo Jorgenson and many relativesξin the Parker and Lindgren families. ξ
Service:
Sunday, April 21, 2013 2:00 p.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home 402 East Brady Street Anthon, IA
Visitation:
One hour prior to the funeral service
Armstrong Funeral Home 402 East Brady Street Anthon, IA
Read More
Service:
Sunday, April 21, 2013 2:00 p.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home 402 East Brady Street Anthon, IA
Visitation:
One hour prior to the funeral service
Armstrong Funeral Home 402 East Brady Street Anthon, IA
Loading...