Fred Parker is a legend in the homebuilding industry, not only locally, but statewide, and nationally. Many of the procedures and principles used in the Fred Parker Company are taught throughout the Texas and National Association of Home Builders from information that was shared through the competitions Glenda and Fred entered and won such as the Pacesetter Awards for business innovation.

Fred was born in Fort Worth in 1932 to Fred and Melba Parker. Fred Sr. was a violin/viola teacher and a Charter Member of the Fort Worth Symphony. A large panoramic photo of that original symphony hung in Fred Sr.’s music studio and was an inspiration not only to the pupils he taught, but also as an example of excellence that surely inspired Fred and the Parker family. Melba was an accomplished pianist and piano teacher instructing all the kids of the family in piano at an early age. Fred was a natural entrepreneur owning various small business ventures as a young man. His building career began following his marriage to Glenda in 1951 at University Christian Church. Upon returning home from the Navy, Fred began working in roofing and siding sales and was a natural salesman. They opened Jones and Parker Construction Company with a partner, Tom Jones performing roofing and remodeling work. Fred soon bought out his partner and moved the business to a large room he had built above the garage of their home. Fred believed in his own employees doing the work and had carpenters, painters, brick masons, and a cleaning crew, specializing in remodeling and room additions while also remaining active in the roofing business. The company continued to grow and in 1965, it moved to its current office in a home they had redesigned and remodeled on Frazier Avenue. The property, several acres in size, is located in the Southwest Seminary area, and includes a 5000 sq. ft. warehouse. Today, the office showcases high-definition photography of many of the beautiful homes built and remodeled by the company.

Fred and Glenda had three kids and worked tirelessly to build the business to support their family. They provided a lifestyle that included summer vacations and weekend golf getaways. Sharla the oldest, Ron second, and then Steve all grew up with opportunities to work for the business. Sharla worked in the office, when available, answering the phones and helping her mom. Ron and Steve grew up working on projects with whatever was needed. Ron worked with the carpenters, and Steve worked with the painters. It was great experience, and they all learned a very strong work ethic from working in the family business. Fred was an avid golfer and when he wasn’t working, he enjoyed a round of golf or hitting golf balls on the practice tees. He played golf with his boys, Ron and Steve, on Sundays and brought his father, Fred Sr. who also worked for the business keeping the books. The company afforded a college education for the three kids who are now married and have families of their own. Fred and Glenda have a total of 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Sharla is a therapist who lives with her husband and family in Boulder, Colorado. Steve has two kids and is an Aging in Place Specialist who lives with his wife in Austin. Ron, whose wife Lila, is recently deceased, has two kids and now runs the company as President and Partner.

In the 1980s, the company purchased property in Mont Del Estates and began a plan for designing and building high-end model homes for sale. That led to properties in Meadows West, River Hollow, and Mira Vista Developments, with the same plan and goal. Fred worked with Ron’s wife, Lila, a very successful ASID interior designer, and in 1994, the company built in the first Street of Dreams Home Tour in Mira Vista Country Club Development. The event was extremely successful with over 20,000 people in attendance over the month of showing, winning top awards for building, architecture, and interior design. Ron, who was working in industrial construction in Dallas, returned after the home was completed to manage new home construction. Steve ran the remodeling business, and the family was working together again.

Fred has always believed in education offered through the NAHB and the Tarrant County Builders Association which provided testing and credentials for the training. These have included training in building practices, code and contract updates, energy and design trends, customer service, and aging in place training. Fred always believed in being a customer service specialist and treating each client with respect. His goal was to become the consultant for the life of the home built or remodeled and every customer service request is recorded and discussed during the weekly staff meeting. Company reports for the business, including customer service reports, are shared with Fred in person every Friday by the Executive Assistant, Kari Patterson, which allows Fred to always be mindful of the business.

The Fred Parker Company has been recognized throughout the industry as a premier design-build and rebuilding firm. The company has earned many local, state, and national awards for unique design and exceptional construction. Fred’s ambition to be known as a company with a “Tradition of Excellence” is not just a slogan, it is a way of life for the family and everyone who works there. Fred Parker Company President, Ron Parker, has made it his personal mission and goal to uphold the standards and traditions of honesty, integrity, and excellence established by his parents. Ron has collected numerous one-liners of wisdom and humor that he has learned from his years of working with his dad; he calls them “Fredisms”. Ron’s daughter-in-law Amberley, a graphic designer, created a beautiful graphic that is framed and hanging on the wall of Ron’s office. Amberley Parker’s beautiful “Fredisms” graphic is shown at the bottom of this page.

Fred earned credentials as an NAHB Graduate Master Builder / Remodeler; Certified Master Builder / Remodeler; and Certified Aging in Place Specialist. He is a member of the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association and honorably serves as a life member on the Board of Directors. GFWBA has awarded Fred Parker the prestigious honors for Remodeler of the Year, Builder of the Year, “The Lifetime Achievement Award”, and the “Fort Worth Home Building Hall of Fame” for his exemplary dedication and commitment to the home building industry and the City of Fort Worth. Fred was an award-winning builder in two “Street of Dreams” home tours in Mira Vista in 1994 and 1997 winning top awards for the company and the design-build team.

Glenda battled MS for over 50 years but never complained and always cared for her family and the needs of the business. She passed away on April 14, 2026, after a long battle with COPD. Ron’s wife, Lila Parker, passed away on March 25, 2025, from a sudden-onset brain cancer. Lila worked with the clients of the company throughout her 42 years of marriage to Ron. Losing Glenda and Lila is a difficult loss for Fred, Ron, and the family, but their faith in God and belief in their eternal salvation provide the peace and comfort hey need. The love and support from their family, friends, building team, and clients is very appreciated.

This Tribute is written with the utmost sincerity, honor, and appreciation by Fred and Glenda’s loving and devoted son, Ron.

You can read the Memorial Pages written for Lila and Glenda Parker following this tribute to Fred Parker.

You can also read the wisdom and humor from the “Fredisms” created and collaborated by Ron and Amberley Parker at the end of the page.