Michael D. Parker

Michael D. Parker, 51, of Melcher-Dallas, Iowa passed away on February 16, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Melcher-Dallas Community Center. Memorials may be made in care of the family.

Michael Dow Parker was born on March 1, 1971, in Marshalltown, Iowa to Lester “Sonny” Parker and Pam Cooper. He was the first born to the couple and would later welcome his brothers, Mitchell, Gerald, and Sonny. Several years later, he became a brother again to his sister, Natalie.

Mike grew up in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa with his family. He attended school there and graduated with the class of 1989. Those who knew Mike, knew he could get into his share of trouble, but he had a heart of gold. If he cared about you, he would do anything and everything for you.

Mike attended Simpson College for almost two years before moving back home. He found his passion and worked as a CNC Machinist. He was very knowledgeable in the field, always sharing photos and videos of his accomplishments.

Mike was blessed with three children: Hallie, Brady, and Kylea. They were his pride and joy. Along with Mike’s biological children, he also took Garett Robbins and Casey Hunt under his wing, and they became family as well. They will always cherish his great sense of humor and how he could always make them and others laugh. They recall how proud he was of his rearend, as they were often “mooned” by him. They joked about how he must be proud to keep showing it off. 

When Mike was battling with his diabetes, he ended up having a toe removed. Instead of being down about it, he posted a picture with the caption, “and then there were four.” Following the surgery, he loved to tell his grandkids that the alligators got him and ate his toe. He also enjoyed experimenting with different and somewhat crazy hairdos, for example, his reverse mohawk. He was quite proud of that one. His children also gave him a hard time about his “slim shady” phase, when Mike was bleaching his hair. 

Mike absolutely adored his grandchildren. He always said, “I never wanted to be a grandpa until I actually became one.” Of course, he loved teaching them naughty things as well. He was a family-oriented man and enjoyed every second of the time spent with family. 

Mike was also quite the sports enthusiast. He not only played football, basketball, baseball and ran track while in school, but he was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Iowa State, and the Chicago Cubs. You would often catch him with a nice cold Chelada in his hand while watching a game, mowing the lawn, or after a long day of work.

Mike will be dearly missed by his parents, Lester “Sonny” Parker and Pam Cooper; children: Hallie Parker (Alec Neumann), Brady Parker, Kylea Parker (Shea Dittmer), and 2 bonus children, Garett Robbins (Jaden Shuff) and Casey Hunt (Jade Gaffey); grandchildren: Jaxton, Kaesli, Austyn, Jacen, and two on the way; siblings: Mitch Parker, Gerald Parker, Sonny “Bean” (Jessica) Parker, and Natalie (Chris) Kinney; along with many more family and friends.