Ron Parker

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ronald George Parker, age 89, Saginaw, Missouri, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022 at his home surrounded by his four daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ron was born December 15, 1932 in Joplin, son of the late Loren Parker, Sr. and Minola Parker. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Cloetta (Eastburn) Parker; brothers, Loren, Jr., Charles, and Bill Parker. 

 

After graduation, Ron joined the United States Navy in 1952 as a medical corpsman, basic training in San Diego, CA before being stationed in Baltimore, MD in the Medical School. After graduation he was stationed in Pensacola, FL where he worked in surgery and radiology. 

He married Cloetta Eastburn in 1953 at Fairview Baptist Church of Joplin. He was then stationed in Guam in the x-ray department of the emergency room. He was honorably discharged in 1956, and then went to work for R.E. Smith in Joplin where he worked for over 23 years. His most valuable job was being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather which he stated many times.

In 1972, Ron had his first open heart surgery, it was only the second time in history that the surgical team, led by Dr Michael DeBakey, had performed this leading-edge procedure whereby the mammary artery was wrapped around the heart, which was the only major artery available to him. The procedure encouraged tremendous capillary growth, thus creating the breakthrough cardiology needed. Because of the success of this procedure, it became a standard procedure still used today.

Ron is survived by his four daughters, Connie Houle (Rick), Kimber Cook (Bob), Melanie Metcalf (Larry), and Beverly Parker-Ellison (Kurk); 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary. Interment of his ashes will be private family services at a later date in Saginaw Cemetery.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.