Albert W. Parker

Albert W. Parker was born Nov. 27, 1922, in Knoxville, Tenn. He was the son of Albert and Mary (Smith) Parker. He was a resident of Ottawa at the time of his death on March 6, 2010, at the age of 87 years. Albert was active for many years in the electronics field and worked at the Nevada Test Site in communications. He also worked in the production of gaming machines in both Reno and Las Vegas, Nev. During semi-retirement, he and his wife, Shirley, managed a condominium complex in Sarasota, Fla., from 1981 until 1989. He also worked in the mailroom at the Ottawa Herald. He served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater from April 1941 through April 1947 as a radio operator. He was a member of Ottawa Lodge #803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Warren Black Post #60, American Legion; and life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901. He also was a licensed amateur radio operator from 1950 until October 2009 and member of the American Amateur Radio League. On March 3, 1961, Albert was united in marriage with Shirley Kirkland in Las Vegas, Nevada. She preceded him in death March 25, 1996. They will now be side by side once again. Albert is survived by his son, Charles W. Parker and daughter-in-law, Joan E. Parker, of Blue River, Or. He also has a granddaughter, Allison Ceschini and great-grandson, John Thomas Ceschini, Jr., of Eugene, Or. His brother and sister-in-law, Rex and Wanda Kirkland, reside in Ottawa, Kan. The facts listed above are what he wanted to share, but they say nothing about the man that he was. To put it short and sweet, he was a card carrying member of the “Greatest Generation”, a man of honor, integrity, and a deep sense of right and wrong and most importantly to his son, he was a hero and roll model. Graveside inurnment services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa VFW #5901 Building Fund, in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory in Ottawa, Kansas 66067.