Obituary of Ronald C. Parker

RONALD C. PARKER HEBRON, NEW YORK – Ronald C. Parker, 82, passed over peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born July 29, 1935, at Rutland Hospital, the son of Clinton and Olive (Cairns) Parker. He was a 1954 graduate of Middletown Springs High School in Middletown Springs, VT. He married his high school sweetheart, Alice Wetherby, on July 30, 1955, whom he spent nearly 50 years with until her passing in November, 2004. Together they ran Ron-Al Farm and raised two children. Mr. Parker was self-employed on his dairy farm in Hebron. In his earlier days, he loved his precious horse, Snow White, who was sent by train in a crate from the Midwest. She was a gentle girl, but she knew when Ron hopped on her back….she rode like the wind! She lived a long life and was even enjoyed by Ron's children. The family enjoyed sleigh rides with Snow White. His first love was his Henry J automobile, built by the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation and named after its chairman, Henry J. Kaiser. He also loved his Wrangler Jeep and plowing with it. Anyone who knew Ron, knew how much he loved his tractors. He always found some project that involved using one of his tractors and its attachments like the back hoe, bush hog, rake, back blade, or bucket. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to friends and family…along with his opinion! He was an active member of the Hebron Grange and the Hebron United Presbyterian Church (formally called East Hebron Presbyterian Church). In his retirement he loved going camping and sitting by the campfire with friends and family at Halfmoon Pond, VT. He also enjoyed travels to Grand Canyon, Arizona, Maine, Washington, Virginia, Florida, Connecticut, New York City and Niagara Falls, Canada. Many of these trips were to visit Lisa, Dan and their children. Ron remarried Linda Town on August 28, 2007 also from Hebron. Survivors include his wife Linda (Town) of Hebron, NY; his daughter, Rhonda Parker of Clifton Park, NY; his son, Peter Parker (Julie) of Monson, MA; his grandchildren, Amanda Parker and Christopher Parker of Shrewsbury, MA; and his sister, Esther Capen of Proctor, VT; along with several brothers-in-law (Roland, Herbert (Sue), Edmund (Janet), Bruce (Rose) and Michael Wetherby; one sister-in-law, Helen (Donald) Rogers; several nieces and nephews; and stepchildren, Lisa and Tyler. The family is very grateful to friends and neighbors including Anna and Allen Rumrill, Connie Dawdley, his pastor, Laura Mitchell for their endless visits and support, Salem Rescue Squad and Hospice for his care. Services will be held Monday, December 18, 2017 at the Hebron United Presbyterian Church (formerly called East Hebron Church), 6559 State Route 22, Salem, NY 12865. There will be a visiting hour at 11:00 am followed by the funeral at 12:00 noon. Immediately following will be a reception in the social hall of the church. A memorial and burial will follow in the Spring of 2018. Arrangements are in the care of Robert M King Funeral Home in Granville, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salem Rescue Squad, The Hebron United Presbyterian Church or random acts of kindness.