Robert (Bob) Parker, 81, a lifelong Tacoma resident, died peacefully at home in the loving presence of family on March 28, 2023, after fighting a long and arduous battle with PKD. He has entered the presence of Jesus Christ, now free of all disease and dancing for joy before the Lord for eternity.

He was born October 10, 1941, to Anton and Evelyn Parker in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. During WWII, his extended family moved to Tacoma, and from the age of 4 years, he was raised by his beloved grandmother Mary Parker. After graduating from Stadium High School in 1959 he worked for Safeway for 32 years. He was preceded in death by Nancy Parker, his cherished wife of 24 years, his brother David Parker, and many more loved family members.

Bob was a very kind and loving man; a grandson, brother, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed being with family above all else and was deeply loved as the patriarch of his family. He is survived by his dearly beloved fiancée Denise Mayward, daughters Connie LeAir, Darlene Christian, Karen Stager (Orin), sister Barbara Parker (California), only niece Unna Edmunds, and a large family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and cousins who were as siblings to him.

Bob lived with great vitality and was an overcomer in all the challenges of his life. He had a positive outlook, a generous spirit, and a kind heart that left a lasting impression on his family and everyone he met. He was also known for his athleticism. He enjoyed basketball through school and was an avid cyclist, baseball player, runner, golfer, walker, and tennis player. He enjoyed coaching sports teams for his grandchildren and was an avid fan of the Sonics, Seahawks, and Mariners.

He had a lifelong love of music and woke up every morning with a song on his heart. He was a band member of JD and the Saharas as a drummer and saxophonist in his early years. He equally loved dancing and danced the nights away with every opportunity. It is on the dance floor that he met his late-in-life love and fiancée, Denise.

A memorial service for Robert Parker will be held at 2:00 PM on May 12 at University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 27th St W, University Place, WA 98466. Please join us. A Celebration of Life will take place at Dune Pavilion, Pt. Ruston, on October 4, 1:00 PM. All are welcome to attend. To commemorate his love of the Hawaiian Islands, a lei and ashes were tossed into the ocean in Kona on April 19. In lieu of flowers, Bob requests donations be made to familiesunlimitednetwork.org. or your local food bank.