Robert J. Parker

Bob Parker, age 87, died May 4, 2026 outside his McGregor, TX home. Born in Muskogee, OK, the eldest child of Elizabeth Talley Parker and Robert Fenton Parker, Bob grew up in a family of hard workers and gifted musicians. A memorial service will be held for Bob on Tuesday, June 9 at 10:30 a.m. at First Methodist Church in Gatesville, TX.

A graduate of Bixby, OK High School, Bob earned degrees in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State and the University of Oklahoma. His career path reflected his entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit, ranging from working in the cold war aerospace industry to insurance, construction, financial planning, and stock brokerage. Always open to new opportunities, Bob was also an early and successful entrant in the world of e-commerce.

Bob could design and build anything. With Lynn, his wife of more than 45 years, he built and remodeled numerous homes. Loved ones would sometimes notice that significant floorplan changes had occurred between visits.

Bob was known to Lynn as well as his family and friends for his joie de virvre. His interests included skiing, scuba diving, tennis, golf, and the magnificent Christmas displays for which he sometimes won awards. He never met a speedboat, Jet Ski, or sports car he didn’t like, and his stories left whole rooms laughing. Bob entertained his grandchildren with vivid tales of his youth that were all the better because they were true.

Bob always loved dogs. His favorite of all of his many canine companions may have been a rat terrier named Rascal, who accompanied him on hundreds of miles of road trips across many states. He and Lynn ultimately fell in love with poodles and became successful breeders. In his later years, Bob excelled at training these dogs for agility competition. He made many friends through poodle breeding and the Waco Agility Group.

Bob is survived by his wife, Lynn Lowrey Parker; his sister, Judie Clark of Grove, OK; his longtime friend John Bledsoe; his children: Debbie and Trey White of Crowley, TX, Steve and Cameron Parker of Livingston, MT, and Rob Parker and Beth Taylor of Emory, VA; his step-children Jon and Janelle Gardner of Bryan, TX, Jason Gardner and partner Amy of Titusville, FL, and Jennifer Gardner of Gatesville,TX; his grandchildren: Lee and Nicole White, Katherine and Ben Narvaez, Parker White, Larkin Taylor-Parker, Sallie Taylor-Parker and Victor Lorenzo, Langston and Gillian Gardner, Taylor and Caitlin Alsup, Devon Godfrey, and Keegan Gardner; 3 great–grandchildren Alaric Alsup and Skylar and Sterling White; and nephews Michael, Chris, and Aaron Parker. Bob was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law Larry and Wanda Parker.