Donald Eugene Parker, 82, of Ashland, Ore. passed away peacefully March 10, 2016 surrounded by his family at his home. Don was born October 26, 1933 in Birmingham, Alabama.

He graduated from St. Bernard’s High School, Class of ‘50. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956, where he met Roslyn Cederlund, who was also serving in the Navy. The two wed in 1956. Don always loved airplanes and flying. He pursued his passion by attending the Embry Riddle International School of Aviation, obtaining his commercial pilot’s license in November 1956. He then worked as a mechanic and flight instructor until becoming an air traffic controller. In the early ‘60s, while Roslyn was pregnant, Don and a friend built an experimental aircraft, a single-seat biplane called a “Knight Twister,” on the Parkers’ sun porch in Jacksonville, Florida. They successfully flew it on several occasions.

Don was hired as a pilot by United Airlines in April 1965 and served as a flight engineer and first officer aboard various aircraft until he was promoted to captain in April 1983. Don captained his last flight with United from Honolulu (HNL) to San Francisco (SFO) with his wife, Roslyn, aboard on November 1, 1993. Don was a proud member of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Retired United Pilots Association (RUPA).

Following retirement, Don pursued his other passion, cycling. He logged tens of thousands of miles riding across Oregon and the west, often with Roslyn as his stoker on their tandem. He served tirelessly as the treasurer of the Siskiyou Velo Bicycle Club. When he was not cycling, Don enjoyed spending time with his family, drinking coffee with friends, studying mathematics, and reflecting on what a wonderful and fortunate life he lived. He passed his love of flying to his daughter, Frieda, and his love of cycling to his son, Jesse. He will be missed by the many people who knew and loved him as a kind and gentle man with an enduring Southern lilt in his voice.

Don is survived by the love of his life and wife of 60 years, Roslyn C. Parker; daughter, Frieda Parker (Karl Flesch); son, Jesse Parker (Karen Mock); granddaughter, Niki Flesch; sister-in-law, Alice Parker; niece, Sylvia Parker (Lars Espensen); nephew, Emmett (“Bo”) Parker (Lorrie); grand-niece, Ella Katherine; and grand-nephew, Harrison. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett Parker and Anne May Conway; and his brothers, Emmett and Albert Parker.

The family would like to thank Don’s friends and the nurses and the staff at Providence Hospice. A celebration of Don's life will be held in early May in Ashland.