Douglas Ray Parker

Douglas Ray Parker, 69, of Springdale, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at Northwest Medical Center after a long illness. He was born May 13, 1943, in Crawford County, Bidville Community, to B.F and Mildred Parker. At the age of 3 months, his family moved to California, he attended school in Anaheim, Calif. After high school, he returned to Arkansas. In 1962, he married Gayle Shepherd and had one daughter. Doug served as chief of police in Alma for 12 years. He then moved to Northwest Arkansas and owned and operated a trucking business. He was a Mason and a member of the Eastern Star. He loved hunting, ATV riding and traveling, but mostly, enjoyed attending his grandson's baseball games. His favorite pastime was hanging out with his buddies for coffee at Neal's Cafe. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Edna Hope Parker. Survivors include his wife, Gayle of the home; daughter, Hope Matthews of Springdale; grandson, Parker Matthews of Springdale; two brothers, Milton Parker of Van Buren and Alton Parker of Russellville; sister, Rene Bettis of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; and many other family members and friends. Pallbearers will be: Bob Wood, Ralph Hawkins, Robin Kurkendall, Kelly Matthews, Dave Chapman and Bobby Marks. Honorary pallbearers will be: Karl Martens, Marvin Mose, Don Neal, Phillip Hanby, Dennis Walker, Dewey Johnson, R.D Valentine, Ed Allred, Tommy Wilson, Pat Girard, James Downum, Jim Cypress, Bob Nesmith, Joe Sargent and Joe Sherry. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at Beard's Funeral Chapel with Brother Roy Biswell officiating. Burial will be at Bidville Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.