Ray Parker, of Frisco, Texas (formerly of Long Island, New York and Orange County, California), died unexpectedly on November 7, 2023, from pneumonia. He was only 74 years old. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden passing. Ray was born on July 15, 1949. He attended Lawerence High School and Nassau Community College, and lived in New York for the early part of his life before moving to California and later Texas. In addition to working with mainframe computers for most of his career and DHS for the last part before retiring in 2017, Ray spent some time in the US Navy as well as being a member of several small bands in New York. He spent much of his free time riding his bicycle, visiting zoos and traveling with his wife, Dee, all over the US and a bit of Europe. Everyone who knew Ray knew what a great sense of humor he had and how he loved all things Disney. Moreover, he never met a stranger (well no one stranger than him) as he could make friends wherever he went. Ray was full of joy and positivity, traits that were obvious to all after even just a single meeting with him, and he projected a light and warmth which was felt by anyone who spent any length of time with him.
Ray is survived by his wife, Dee Stelling-Parker; son, Jason; daughter, Jodi Parker-Hauschild (& son-in-law Jason “JJ”); sister, Joanne Rymer (& brother-in-law Russ); several nieces, nephews, cousins and an abundance of friends. We will miss him more than words can say.
Contributions in memory of Ray can be made to In-Sync Exotics (insyncexotics.org) or The Center for Animal Research and Education (CARE) (www.carerescuetexas.com).
A memorial service will be held at Grace Avenue United Methodist Church in the Worship Center, 3521 Main Street, Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.