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Contributed by AileenFB

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Kenneth H. Parker, Ed. D.
Dr. Kenneth Parker died Monday morning, 30 November 1998 after a short illness.
Ken was born in Cortland, New York, 23 August 1924.
On Valentine's Day, 1946, Kenneth married Ruth Marie Gale. They were married 52 years.
Ken and Ruth met at the University of Illinois, where they were both students
and are the loving parents of three children and four grandchildren:

Gale Kathryn is the wife of Hal W. Commerson.
They are the parents of three of Ken's grandchildren:
Aaron Carl, twenty-five years old (and born on Ken's birthday, August 23rd. ),
Ryan Kenneth, twenty-thee years old,
and a daughter Kathryn Marie who is nineteen years old.
(When Gale called her Dad from the hospital,
she asked what she might bring him,
and he asked for Kathryn, who was home for the Thanksgiving holiday.)
Janine Louise is Ken's second daughter and is married to Dean Koslofsky.
They are the parents of Ken's fourth grandchild, Max Parker Koslofsky, aged 17.
Ken and Ruth's son is Douglas Newton Parker. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The funeral was
Wednesday 2 December 1998
at A.J. Desmond Funeral Home
at 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan, 48098
(248) 362-2500.


A eulogy was presented by Ken's son-in-law, Hal Commerson.
Burial is in a small town outside Lincoln, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to
DEAF C.A.N.
2111 Orchard Lake Rd. Suite #101
Sylvan Lake, Michigan 48320.

DEAF C.A.N. helps provide interpreters, education,
and other special needs to the local deaf community.
(Ryan, Ken's grandson is deaf.)
Gale says that Ryan had a special relationship with his grandpa.
Ken would take him out for lunch each year on his birthday
and they would "chat" and joke on paper.
Ryan's greatest wish was that Ken would be around
so his kids could know their "silly old great-grandpa Parker."

Ken was retired and volunteered his time as a host for the Genealogy Forum on AOL.
He served the members of the Genealogy Forum as GFS KenP for many years,
hosting the popular Sunday evening General Genealogy chat
and leading the Mid Atlantic Special Interest Group Chat on Tuesday evening.
Ken was highly respected for his genealogical expertise and his gentle instruction.
Ken seldom missed the New England Special Interest Group Meeting on
Wednesday evening, and was cousin to many of the New England regulars.
We called him "KuzKen."
Ken's niece, Nancy would like to let you know
that if you've any letters of condolences for Ruth or the family
--or stories to share of your memories with Ken--
Nancy is collecting whatever e-mail she receives, and will print them for
her aunt Ruth and the family. You can contact Nancy at lckypnny.


George Ferguson, Genealogy Forum leader and president of
Golden Gate Services, Inc., sent condolences on 1 December, saying
"I was quite saddened to hear that my old friend and cousin, Ken Parker had died.
He was a quiet, hard-working member of the forum that added so much
whenever he walked into the room. He was related to everyone in the
New England Research Group, or so it seemed.
He was always ready to help a new person or a staff member.
He always was there with a cheerful greeting and a knowing response
for anyone that needed it. There are few in the forum that
can ever measure up to Doctor Ken.
He will be missed by all of us."


 GFS KenP and GFS Chuck at the FGS (Federation of
 Genealogical Societies) Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
 September 1998.		 GFL George, GFA Terry and GFS KenP at the Genealogy Forum Booth during the FGS Conference in Cincinnati.
(Both photos contributed by GFA Terry.)



The New England Special Interest Group
Members Celebrated Ken's Life
The New England Special Interest Group Hosts GFS Sam, GFS Bill and GFS Mead
joined SIG members as they remembered Ken. A log of the Memorial chat is available
for the asking. Simply write and we'll send you a copy.



AOL Member Exclusive: Go Directly to The Genealogy Forum on AOL
(Keyword: Roots)

 Kenneth Parker Remembered by his Friends:

Date: Tue, Dec 1, 1998
From : GFA Terry

George told me Ken was one of the nicest people in the forum, and I agree.
I had the honor of working in the Genealogy Forum Conference Booths
with Ken on more than one occasion.
He was a true gentleman and just plain nice guy to be around.
He will be sorely missed.


Date: Tue, Dec 1, 1998
From: DearMYRTLE
There are not many like KenP in this world...
a genuine person and a great genealogist.

Date: Mon, Nov 30, 1998
From: HOST GFS Susi

It is hoped that all will share in the passing of Ken.
I doubt if there were many other people on line that held so many Friends and Cousins.
I cherished him as both. I felt very blessed by his presence.
If in a bind, Ken never said no and would step in and fill my shoes in the NY CHAT.
We chatted many times on the phone and shared many good times, a few sad ones too.
Though none could be as sad as this or as glad as this.
Ken is on the other side now and is there to help and guide us.
Just think of all the answers he is going to get. We are here still struggling.
His great hugs and marvelous enthusiasm will be terribly missed.
KEN, I will miss you but know your in a better place.
May God give you hugs now instead. SusiCP, aka GFS Susi.

 

Tue, Dec 1, 1998 12:04 PM
From: HOST GFS Cindy

I agree with everyone on the comments about Ken. My heart is so heavy with grief
over the loss of not only a terrific friend, but a true genealogist.

I remember so clearly when I had applied for my GFH. Ken and I "worked" together in the loft
on Sunday evenings, we had so much fun. He gave me such encouragement when I felt
I wasn't good enough to do what he was doing. He was my idol in the loft :)
When I did get accepted he was one of the first ones I told
I'm not sure who was happier, he or I, then when I made GFS. I got the same response.

We used to tease each other about who was older, since both our b'days are in Aug...
mine was 8 days before his...so he said I was older.

The world and the Forum has lost a terrific friend, man, teacher, guide, and genealogist...
but Heaven has gained another Angel. I shall rejoice that he's happy, and knowing him...
he's finally finding those ancestors that tended to hide from him and
I bet he's making them answer everyone of his questions :)

Thank you Lord for sharing Ken with us, even if it was for a short time,
the world was a much better place with him in it.
It is now a better place because of him.

Cindy


Shown left to right: GFL George, GFS Dash, GFS KenP, GFS Alicia,
GFS Miltb, and GFS Diana sharing good times and fun
at the home of GFS Hunt, during the NGS Conference in May of 1997,
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Photo contributed by HOST GFS Dash.

 Another Beatitude
by Elizabeth Clark

Blessed are they who understand
my faltering step and shaking hand,
Blessed, who know my ears today
must strain to catch the things they say,
Blessed are they who seem to know
my eyes are dim and my mind is slow,
Blessed are they who looked away,
I spilled my tea on the cloth that day!
Blessed are they who, with cheery smile,
stopped to chat for a little while,
Blessed are they who know the way
to bring back memories of yesterday,
Blessed are they who never say,
"You told that story twice today!"
Blessed are they who make it known
that I am loved, respected and not alone,
And blessed are they who will ease the days
of my journey home, in loving ways.

contributed by AileenFB

 

 

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The Genealogy Forum on AOL is a production of Golden Gate Services, Inc. of Franklin, Massachusetts.
© 1998 All Rights Reserved. George Ferguson, President.
The Genealogy Forum on AOL is a member of the Federation of Genealogical Societies.


Published 2 December 1998 for Golden Gate Services, Inc.