Dean Parker

life story

Loving Father, Husband, and Grandfather.

Though much of Dean's early life was hard, he didn't let it get to him. He had a way of finding joy anywhere he could. He was a lover of movies, The Cubs, and the Fighting Irish of Notre dame. From playing ball with his pals and grandkids to meeting up with old friends for lunch. His love of life and family stuck with him until the end. We are grateful to have known him as long as we did.

A short Biography of Dean

Dean lived on the Northside of Chicago and initially lived in a place called the furnace Hotel but eventually moved "my mother and my two sisters and I moved From the Furnace Hotel and then moved into another neighborhood. It was a one-bedroom apartment with a tiny kitchen and bathroom. It was me my mother and two sisters so we were pretty cramped the whole time. But I managed to get by. Like most, I hated school. I went to the Eugene grammar school in my early years. I would always try to get outside rather than the stuffy halls of our school. To fil time I played sports. I was captain of my school's basketball team and even the football team quarterback. Lest to say I had a very active life in my youth. After high school, Dean went to Western state teachers' college and played basketball for two years. "I was finally in the big leagues but decided it wasn't for me. So I left and joined the national guard."

"Originally, I worked on missile interceptions. Eventually, They made me into an assistant cook." After a few years of service, Dean was stationed at places like Fort Bliss, Texas, to work with the Nike missile system and then onto Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, to work as a hand-to-hand combat instructor. "Eventually, they finally let me go and I started to work at a furniture store called Wieboldt's, I enjoyed the work. This was around the time that I met your grandmother and your great aunt." I Met Diane through my sister, while I was working at Wieboldt's. This was in 1959. My first date with Diane was at a Black Hawks game. We got married in 1960 and had our first kid, Brian, in 1961. Funny enough or doctor was the same doctor who brought me and my sisters into the world. The first time being a parent I was never 100% if I was always correct it was a lot of second-guessing but it was worth it. In 1962 Michael was born he was definitely a lot easier than his brother, and eventually became our social butterfly.1967 Brad was born. He was the most fun."Having my three kids was probably my favorite memory as an adult. There's really nothing that beats that." We bought a small house in Elk Grove, where the boys went to school. Later on, I got another job at a small appliance company. Essentially, it was the same work, delivering furniture and doing that over and over. I usually had to carry the items by myself with no lifts. it was back-breaking but, I worked there till I was 60 and retired with a good amount of money for my family.

After retiring, Dean spent the next years of his life with his wife Diane in Itasca, Illinois. He played more golf, followed the Cubs, and passionately lived for Notre Dame football. Fall weekends were scheduled around the game. He was able to share some of his best moments with his wife, children, and grandchildren; Justin, Kyle, Riley, Ross, and Jaxon. , "I'm very thankful to have my children and wife around. They're the ones who make it for me. And I will keep loving every moment of it."

His last year was a battle against AML. Even as he neared his final hours....he shared that he was not happy that he was going to miss this year's opening day game between Ohio State, and his beloved Notre Dame. We will be watching that game and cheering on the Blue and gold.

This short biography was pulled from an interview by Jaxon Parker, that was done for one of his nursing classes. Jaxon is a senior nursing student at Miami University. Contributing info and writing were provided by Dean's grandson Kyle Parker

memorial service

Celebration of Life memorial

June 23, 2022

Stonewood Alehouse 601 Mall Dr, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA

Come join us in the celebration of life for Dean Parker. Come share stories and a smile. This is an "Open House" Format, from 3 to 7, so you can drop in whenever is convenient.

- We will be setting aside a period to commemorate Dean's life with stories from friends and family from 4:30 pm -5:30 pm. Anybody wishing to speak is welcomed and invited.

- Appetizers will be served.