- Date Of Birth: February 20, 1930
- Date Of Death: October 24, 2015
- State: Illinois
Theodore Lee “T.L.” “Ted” Parker, 85, of Jacksonville and formerly of Meredosia, died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehab.
He was born Feb. 20, 1930, in Bluffs, the son of Melvin C. “Bob” and Frieda Mae Six Parker. He married Doris Lee Davis on Jan. 10, 1948, in Springfield, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 12, 2004.
He is survived by his four children, Doug (wife, Pat) Parker of Jacksonville, Dave (wife, Kim) Parker of Meredosia, Brenda Lee Parker Rausch of Jacksonville, and Thomas Clayton Parker of Jacksonville; twelve grandchildren; and fifteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Neil Parker; two brothers in infancy; and his beloved son-in-law, LeRoy Rausch.
In his youth, Ted worked at the family business, Parker Machine Shop, and later owned a saw mill and worked for the railroad. He went on to work as a professional welder at Delta Tank Company. In 1962, he went to work at Grace Ammonia Terminal in Meredosia, where he was soon named Terminal Manager, and worked there until his retirement. Ted was very proud of his years at Grace and always spoke highly of the talented and professional team that he worked with. During his years there, he was frequently consulted as a hazardous materials expert at train and truck accidents throughout the Midwest. He also was recognized nationwide as a hazardous materials expert. In his retirement, he was co-founder, along with his daughter, Brenda, of RegCom, a regulatory compliance consulting business.
After the loss of his wife, Ted moved to Knollwood Retirement Village, where he enjoyed a new circle of friends to add to the old. He was a great practical jokester and a doting grandfather and great grandfather.
