Parker, Forrest Ray 'Forry'

Forrest Ray “Forry” Parker, 84, of Cedar Rapids, died at Mercy Medical Center Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013. A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel by the Rev. Brad Brown of Concordia Lutheran Church. Private burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and after 10 a.m. Monday at the chapel.

Forry is survived by his wife, Joanne; his son, Gary Parker of Bettendorf; granddaughter, Andrea Parker; daughter-in-law, Linda Rick of Vinton; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Craig; a brother, Harvey Kenneth Parker; and two sisters, Lorene Miskimen and Birdella Linkenback.

Forry was born Oct. 26, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, to Harvey and Clara Parker. He was an Army veteran during the Korean conflict. Forry married Joanne Hladky on Dec. 7, 1950. He started at Link Belt Speeder in the shop, becoming an electrician, then a draftsman and retired as plant engineer at FMC. He attended Kirkwood Community College and the University of Wisconsin, taking courses in drafting, statics and air conditioning. Forry was a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, VFW, Past Master of A.F. & A.M., York rite Bodies and a charter member of FMC Toastmasters.

Forry was extremely proud of the home he and Joanne built in Cedar Rapids. He built a swimming pool in his backyard, spending many hours there with family and friends. He enjoyed golf, playing Snooker, and home projects - especially woodworking. He was a member of the Shriner's Jolly Joker Clown unit, entertaining children for many years and involved in parades and philanthropic causes.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice House of Mercy.

Online condolences may be sent to www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published Nov. 1, 2013 in The Gazette