Rex E. Parker

Rex E. Parker passed away at the age of 94 on June 25, 2022, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born on December 22, 1927 in Tampa Florida to George and Lollie (Shirk) Parker. An Army veteran, he graduated from Westminster College in 1949 and received an MBA from the University of Michigan in 1951. Rex’s employers included General Electric in Fort Wayne, Ball Corporation in Muncie Indiana; and he finished his career as a financial planner while living in Greenfield, Indiana. He retired at the age of 80.

At various times of his life he was a choral singer (including many years as a barbershopper), participant in community theater, high school volleyball referee, assistant swim coach, volunteer tax preparer, a volunteer Red Cross and hospital driver, and enthusiastic bridge player. An avid traveler, Rex visited the Bahamas, Europe, Asia, and 46 of the lower 48 states, including frequent trips to Sanibel Island, Florida. He also made two very special trips with wife Peggy to Bermuda, for both their honeymoon and their 60th anniversary. He participated in a variety of Elderhostel (now called Road Scholar) programs, and he both hosted travelers and enjoyed other hosts’ homes through the Evergreen Club. He was a member of Waynedale United Methodist Church and enjoyed his final years surrounded by his community of friends at Coventry Meadows.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Peggy (Baatz) Parker; children Susie (Steve) Narkis (River Forest, Illinois), Cindy (Dan) Nestel (Fort Wayne), and Scott (Dianne) Parker (South Pasadena, California); grandchildren Jeffrey and Timothy Narkis, Eric (Kelly) and Emily (fiancé Jason) Nestel, and Craig and Mollie Parker; and great-grandchildren Jack, Sophia, and Edward Rex Nestel.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rex’s name to Westminster College (New Wilmington, Pennsylvania) or an organization of one’s choosing.