Roy Irven Parker

Roy Irven Parker was born in Altoona, Iowa on February 13, 1922. His father left the family and his mother had to move him and his siblings to an orphanage when Roy was eight years old. When he got a little older he was sent to work with a farmer during the Rural Electrification Program and learned the electrical trade from the ground up. After that he attended the Iowa State Training School for Boys and learned the military order that served him so well in the future. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During World War II he was the youngest Master Technical Sergeant in the Marine Corps. He served 27 years, rising from the enlisted ranks to retire as a Major. In March of 1945 he married Rhea V. Bonallo, nicknamed "Bonnie”, who was also in the Marine Corps. They were both baptized in the Catholic Church as adults. Roy and Bonnie had 4 children (Kathryn, Richard, Valerie and Karrie) and lived many places during Roy's career in the Marine Corps. He retired in 1967 and then started a civilian career as Director of Construction for the Prince George's County School system in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He retired from that position in 1982. Roy was highly respected by his family and friends alike. His friends called him “RIP”. He could fix anything. He was always helping his friends out with their cars, home repairs, electrical problems, etc. Roy and Bonnie had many friends and were always socializing in some way or another. He was witty and humorous, enjoyed talking with everyone, and when he smiled he had a twinkle in his eye. He made an impression on everyone he met. He always had a harmonica nearby, and in his later years he had the time to return to playing the clarinet and saxophone, something he enjoyed in his youth. He had a very successful career and a good life. Roy is preceded in death by his wife and one granddaughter (Wendy). He is survived by his children Kathryn Elms (Duane), Richard Parker, Valerie Allard (Christopher) and Karrie Ann Arcuri (Tom), as well as 7 grandchildren: Jason Condon, Bonnie Marie Singh (Stephen), Jonathan Linck, Kathryn Mercier, Phil Mercier, Jr, Vincent Arcuri and Nickolas Arcuri, and three great grand children; Assem, Marleigh and Parker. Roy will be dearly missed by all.

Roy Irven Parker

February 13, 1922 - January 7, 2016