Obituary of Ronald G. Parker

Ronald G. Parker, age 88, passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Ardmore, Okla. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, July 12, 2024, at The Chickasaw Community Center at 907 Locust Street, Ardmore, Okla. 73401. Services are under the direction of the family. Cremation under the direction of Griffin~Hillcrest Crematory. Ronald Gene Parker, a man of many names, affectionately known as Ron, Ronnie, Daddy, Buddy, and the unforgettable "Rooooonnnnnnie” – coined by his late wife, Carole. Born on a Wednesday in 1935 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, a town he loved almost as much as he loved telling stories that got taller with each retelling. Ron led a life as colorful as his collection of golf shirts, bravely serving his country as a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, assigned to the USS Kearsarge, where he excelled at defending freedom and perfecting his "I'm not mad, just disappointed" face for bureaucratic nonsense. His dedication extended to the Chickasaw Nation for 26 years, where his leadership was matched only by his ability to entertain colleagues with tales that could make squirrels stop and listen. Rounding out his Chickasaw career as a Chickasaw Hall of Fame inductee. Above all, Ron was a family man through and through, a beacon of wisdom, dad jokes, and the occasional nap while watching golf. He led his family with unwavering strength and love, teaching his children the importance of hard work, the joy of a good OU football game, and the strategic deployment of well-timed joke in any situation. Despite his protests at being called a hero, preferring to deflect with a quip about his golf game, Ron was undeniably heroic in his dedication, kindness, loyalty, ability to dress impeccably and tell good story. In lieu of flowers, Ron would have preferred donations to the Chickasaw Nation Foundation (chickasawfoundation.org) or a commemorative round of golf in his honor. And wherever you are, if you listen closely, you might just catch someone calling out, "Rooooonnnnnnie," with equal parts exasperation and adoration. Rest easy, Ron. Your spot among the stars awaits, where the fairways are always pristine, and the punchlines never grow old. Ron is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Carole Parker, his parents Mildred and Harold Parker, sister Nina Lou McLain, surrogate parents Opal and Brian “Punch” Evans, and several cherished aunts and uncles. He is survived by his daughters Jana Kaye Robertson of Dallas, TX, Sally Elizabeth Parker and her spouse Henry Muirhead of Ardmore, OK; granddaughter Robin Clark and her spouse Kevin Clark of Dallas, TX; granddaughter Christin Frankhauser, her spouse Caleb Frankhauser and great granddaughter Julia Frankhauser. Donations to Chickasaw Nation Foundation: www.chickasawfoundation.org Phone: 580-421-9030 P.O. Box 1726 Ada, OK 74821.