Donald Reed Parker, 81, of Aldie, VA and formerly of Williamsburg, passed away peacefully on May 11th, 2021, after experiencing complications from cancer surgery.

He was born in Newport News and resided on the Peninsula, until moving to the Northern Virginia area in March of 2020, to be with his daughter and family. Donald graduated from Newport News High School in 1958 and married his high school sweetheart, Glenda, who he was married to for 59 years.

Donald was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding for 36 long years, where he built aircraft carriers and submarines for the US Navy, and retired as a Nuclear Construction Supervisor. He was actively involved in local clubs for many years including the Mariners’ Club, Colony Civic Association, Williamsburg Master Gardener Association, and Denbigh Exchange Club, where he served on the board and as leadership for several years. Donald was a long time donor to Special Olympics, Children’s Cancer Research, and Veterans’ organizations. He was extremely talented at his many hobbies including furniture building, landscaping, and gardening. He was an amazing Dad, PopPop, husband, brother-in-law, and friend who had a knack for making people laugh and for appreciating the simple things in life.

Donald is predeceased by his wife, Glenda Howard Parker, and survived by a family who will miss him terribly including daughter, Hope Parker Purvis and son-in-law, Eric; grandchildren, Skyler, Chloe, and Griffin Purvis; sister-in-law Teresa Howard Blaum and brother-in-law, Tim.

Due to impending weather, the memorial service for Donald Reed Parker has been moved to Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News at 2:30pm on June 3.

In lieu of flowers, donations to any of his favorite charities mentioned above are greatly appreciated.