Ken Parker, 79, of Hillsboro, formerly of Piedmont, died June 13, 2021, at Delmar Gardens South Skilled Nursing Facility in St. Louis County. Mr. Parker was a Christian of the Baptist faith. He worked as a supervisor at Brown Shoe Co. and International Hat Co. in Piedmont, and in 1983 bought an auto dealership in Fredericktown with his business partner, Bill Banks. Over the next few years, Parker-Banks acquired several more dealerships. He was very active in the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, serving in several statewide offices. He was a member of the Piedmont Country Club and Raintree Country Club where he played golf and enjoyed socializing. He was well known for supporting the communities his dealerships served, sponsoring sports teams and other activities. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, staying at dear camp and vacationing with family. Born Jan. 9, 1942, in Brunot, he was the son of the late Roy and Eva (Barker) Parker.
He is survived by his wife: Suzanne (Wallis) Parker, whom he married Jan. 31, 1964; two children: Cathy (Gene) Niewoehner of Festus and Todd (Tammy) Parker of Springfield;
His grandchildren: Melyn and Reanne Niewoehner, and Cassie Reever; a great-grandson: Corben Phillips; a brother: Gene (Brenda) Parker of Brunot; two sisters: Mary (Doug) Funk of Annapolis and Jaunita Lewis of Fredericktown; a brother-in-law: Doug (Marilyn) Wallis of Omaha, Ark.; a number of nieces and nephews and their children; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law: Walter Lewis and Wayne Daugherty; and a sister-in-law: Lynn Daugherty.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until a funeral service at noon Saturday, June 19, at Ruegg Funeral Home in Piedmont. Burial will follow in the Beulah Cemetery near Brunot. Memorials may be made to the ALS Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruegg Funeral Home.