Robert "Rick" R. Parker, Jr.

Robert “Rick” Richard Parker, Jr., aged 76, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully at University Park Nursing and Rehab on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

He was born the son of Robert Richard Parker, Sr. and Evelyn Collins on September 5, 1948. He grew up in Winterset and attended schools in Winterset and Norwalk, where he graduated from High School. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam.

July 15, 1970, he married the love of his life, Dianna Rae (Smith) Parker and they made their home in Des Moines. They later moved to Indianola, and then retired in Panora. To this union were two sons, Patrick Alan Parker (Melanie) and Robert Loyd Parker (Jenny).

Through the years for employment he was a diesel mechanic for the following companies: SMB Stage Lines, Hicklin, Ruan, and Brown National Lease. He worked in construction for Ohland Construction, and retired doing janitorial work at Simpson College. He also continued his military service with the Iowa Army National Guard where he retired as an E5 Sergeant.

His favorite hobby was as a jockey for race horses. Rick and Dianna raised horses for many years and enjoyed traveling to different trail riding and races. Fishing with his children and grandchildren was fun also, though he spent more time baiting the hook and taking fish off than being able to cast a line himself. Every spring he loved to air the tires up on the bicycles and get the grandkids off for a walk/bike ride. He could never say no to any of his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dianna Parker; sons, Patrick (Melanie) Parker and Robert (Bobby) (Jenny) Parker; grandchildren, Jessica Parker, Brittany Carroll, Lane Parker, and Nicholas Parker; great-grandchildren, Adely, Caden, Kinzer, and Clyde Carroll; siblings, Roberta (Bobbie) Sease, Ronald (Ronnie) Parker, and Judy Haley; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mom, Dorothy; his sisters, Marilyn and Linda Sue.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Burial with military honors will take place at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel.

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