Richard Delano Parker, 74, of Russell, Kansas passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2011, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer

Richard was born on Sunday, January 31, 1937, in Flat Rock, Illinois, the son of Roy and Nellie (Duncan) Parker.  He spent most of his childhood in Plainville, Kansas and graduated from Plainville High School in 1955.  After high school he graduated from Wichita State University in 1960, with a Bachelors Degree in Geology.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage, for almost 55 years, to Jean Marlene Marlow on January 26, 1957 in Plainville, Kansas.  From this union Richard and Jean were blessed with three children Kim, Steve and Kathy.  Richard worked as a geologist for 49 years with the Frontier Oil Company out of Wichita, Kansas.  He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church where you could often find him as a greeter and usher at Sunday services.  He enjoyed gardening, yard work and watching Kansas State University sports.  Richard also loved going fishing; he especially loved fishing with his children and grandchildren.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and cherished his time spent watching the grandchildren in their sporting activities.

Surviving family include his wife Jean of the home; daughter Kim Bender and husband Richard of Shreveport, Louisiana, son Steve Parker and wife Laura of Kansas City and daughter Kathy Rickman and husband Jeff of Ft. Worth, Texas; grandchildren Emily and Scott Bender, Jessica and Anna Parker and Amanda Rickman-Wynne; great grandchildren Caleb, Caden and Carli Rickman-Wynne.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers John, Max, Joe and Phil Parker.

A memorial service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, December 29, 2011, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, with Pastor John Thompson officiating.  Cremation has preceded the services, and the register book will be available from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at the mortuary.  Family will be present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening at the mortuary.  A private inurnment of the cremains will take place at the Russell City Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials may be given to the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell and may be sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the memorial service arrangements.