David Reading Parker

David Reading Parker, 68, of Kaufman, Texas passed away to receive his Glory on November 25, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. David was born on November 1, 1951 in Dallas to Hubert and Gladys Parker. He was born in Dallas but was raised in Terrell where he graduated from Terrell High School in 1970 before attending Texas Tech University. David left Texas Tech to pursue a career in the funeral industry and attended The Dallas Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas. He graduated from Dallas Institute as a funeral director and embalmer in 1972. He began his career path by working his way up in the funeral business for Mathis Funeral Home in Seagoville and Anderson-Clayton Bros. Funeral Home in Terrell. David loved to fly, and he got his pilots license on July 5, 1974. When his son, Shawn started to fly and worked towards getting his license he felt a personal sense of pride. After several years of dedicated service David was promoted to Executive Vice President of the East Texas Division for Stewart Enterprises. He left the corporate world in 1995 to venture out on his own and eventually opened his own funeral home in Kaufman in September 1997 with his family in full support. Owning his own funeral home had always been a dream and a dream that came true with the opening of Parker-Ashworth Funeral Home. David was a believer in community service and served on several boards and committees throughout his life. In Terrell, he served on the airport board, was president of the East Texas Funeral Directors Assoc, and a long time member of the Terrell Noon Lions Club. Once the business was started in Kaufman, service to his community didn’t stop but carried on. While in Kaufman he served as the Chairman of the Board of the Kaufman Chamber of Commerce in 2002 and 2016-2017, served on the hospital board, and was a member of the Kaufman Lions Club. This past year he received the lifetime achievement award for all his years of service. Just as much a part of his life as his community service was his church service. David was a faithful member to the churches he was apart of, most recently Calvary Baptist Church in Kaufman. On January 28, 2018, he married Connie Duncan and together they were able to fulfill some of their traveling dreams. They went to Italy, Germany and Switzerland. They took weekend camping trips in their RV and was able to go with the whole family to Ruidoso; things David rarely got time to do while operating his funeral home. David was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and business man in our community.

His parents preceded him in death. Those left to cherish his memory are wife Connie Parker, son Shawn Parker and wife Kelli, step-sons: Chad Baker and wife Bridget from Rockwall, TX and Lee Baker and wife Heather from Weatherford, TX; grandchildren: Makena Parker, Emma Baker, Conner Walters, Jorja Baker, Trevor Johnson, Marcella Baker and Reese Baker; brother Darryl Parker and wife Elizabeth of San Jose, CA, sister Vickie Luckenback and husband Carl of Fredericksburg, TX, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who will miss him dearly.