Edward Leroy Parker

Edward Leroy Parker, Leawood, KS, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2020 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, from complications following surgery. No services are planned at this time. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his honor to any Veteran organization that helps our veterans in their time of need. Ed would have liked that.

Ed was born December 13, 1941 in Bremerton, Washington. He was our dad who proudly served for 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and retired with an Honorable Discharge. He earned the rank of E-8 by the time of retirement. He served multiple tours in Vietnam. He earned several awards: Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge, Good Conduct Medal with 5 stars, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Silver Star, Meritorious Unit Citation with 2 stars, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame, and Letter of Appreciation. After the war, he was sent for training to be a systems programmer for the IBM S/360. He spent a number of years in the IT arena for the Marines as well as a recruiter in Tacoma, Washington. After he left the Marines, he continued in the IT field until he retired in 2009.

He found the love of his life, Julianna Ardelean, on a blind date at the Red Lion Inn in Pomona, California in 1969. There were married for 46 years until the time of her death in August 2016. He loved his sports teams, the Chiefs and the Royals.

He will be cremated, and his ashes will be co-mingled with Julie’s ashes per their wishes. Together Forever. The remains will stay with his daughter, Sue, and his son, Kerry.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Julianna (9/20/1943-8/30/2016), his parents Samuel Leroy Parker (2/19/1970) and Jeannie McCammond (6/21/1997), his brother William Darling (1982) and his son Mike Edward Parker (8/2/1962-11/23/1988).

He is survived by daughter Sue Hart, son Kerry Parker, granddaughters Kristy LaPlante, Samantha Hart and Allison Parker, grandson Anthony Hart, great grandchildren Shane LaPlante, Jr., Ian LaPlante and Ethan LaPlante, sister Joann Rux, brother Joe Hickox, sister Kathy Darling and many more family members and friends.

Dad, you will be forever missed and always in our hearts. We love you. Semper Fi.