Richard Parker, 75, of Harrison, AR, Lawrence, KS, and Bartlesville, OK died in his home on July 28, 2024, surrounded by his wife of 49 years, Susie, and four kids, Casey, Kaitlin, Johanna, and Ben, his wife, Jaye, and their children, Suri and Juno.  Sending him on from afar are his children's spouses, Shahram and Donny, and his other grandkids, Max, Sam, Ruby, Pynn, Charlie, and Huey.  He lived the most perfect, beautiful life and gave the same to his family.

He spent his childhood "exploding" sidewalks and playing around with his cousins on the biplane his grandfather built after corresponding with the Wright brothers.  He was a lawyer for a large part of his adult life, serving Boone, Newton, Marion, and Baxter counties as the public defender for many years.  A hobbyist at heart, he enjoyed photography, aquariums, archery, ancient coins, hiking, and astronomy, but nothing compared to the daily painting and biking he did faithfully in his 20 years of retirement.  Over his life he created a masterful body of artwork that adorns every wall of his home.  He likely spent more time in his yellow jersey, cycling the neighborhood over the past 20 years, than anything else.  He was a funny guy and maintained his sense of humor through the very end.  Many of his friends have said they strive to have a marriage like his with Susie.  They could not have been a better match.  There are a million things that could be said about his virtue, but simply put, he was they very best dad, the very best husband, and the very best man on planet Earth. He will be so missed by his family and friends.

Services will be held graveside at Maple Leaf Cemetery on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 9:00 AM.  According to his wishes, and for the sake of privacy, there will not be a visitation or celebration of life.

Please visit the link provided to consider donating to cancer research, https://give.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/fundraiser/5655465 .