Don Parker

Donald “Don” Ingram Parker passed away peacefully at Hinkle House, Hospice of Davidson County early on Sunday, April 3, 2022. He was 72 years old. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Diana (née Solesbee), and sons Neal Parker and Tess Fadri, Graham and Megan Parker, and Byron Parker.

Don was born to Irene Ketchie Parker (later Clark) and Ned Parker on March 14, 1950 in Salisbury, North Carolina. A graduate of the North Carolina State University College of Engineering, Don was a builder and problem-solver by trade, training, and instinct. A licensed Professional Engineer, Don retired as Principal Design Engineer at Fluor in Charlotte, NC. Don was also a veteran of the US Navy, and served as a sailor on board the ballistic missile submarine USS James Madison (SSBN-627) during the Vietnam War.

Don’s passion for discovery and his love for family and friends led him on numerous adventures over the years. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved fishing on the Outer Banks, camping, hiking, scuba diving, and taking long and winding road trips across the country. His family will remember his love of history, his enjoyment of writing, his inherent curiosity and wonder for the world around him, and especially his screwball sense of humor.

In addition to his immediate family, Don is survived by his sister Trudy Hassenplug and his brother Bryan and Janice Parker; sisters-in-law Dru and Fred Ferrence and Kay and Barry Moss; nephews Dan, Ned, Ben, Jeff, Adam, and Erle; nieces Mary and Stephanie; and special bonus daughter Sarah Khan.  The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and doctors of the Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Cancer Center for their care and compassion.

There will be a visitation for family and friends at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington on Saturday, April 9, 2022 from 11 A.M. until 1 P.M. The family will hold a private memorial service to commit his ashes to the sea at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the V Foundation for Cancer Research ( www.v.org , 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513).