Glenda & Lila
Glenda Parker - In Loving Memory
September 11, 1934 - April 14, 2026
Glenda was born in Fort Worth in 1934 to Ruby and George Baldwin. She and Fred were married in 1951 at University Christian Church in Fort Worth at ages 16 and 18. They immediately started their building business and began their family. They led a very happy and successful life with their three children, Sharla, Ron, and Steve, their spouses and children, and their 5 great-grandchildren. Glenda loved to sing, paint, and play the piano; she was very talented and accomplished in everything she did. Her family was the most important thing to her, and she loved spending time with them and tending to her garden.
Glenda played an active role as Co-Founder and Vice-President of the Fred Parker Company and was instrumental in shaping and influencing the business. She was an excellent writer and throughout her life, was responsible for writing and creating the marketing and documents for the business. Through the tireless dedication of Fred and Glenda, the company has grown into the premier and highly respected home building, design, and remodeling business it is today. Now in the company’s 75th year, they share in the tremendous honor of every satisfied client, every beautiful home built or remodeled, and every award received, through the influence, principles, procedures, and business model they created. The Tradition of Excellence has been the trademark of the Fred Parker Company since its inception because of Fred and Glenda Parker.
Glenda was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1980 and although it restricted her activities, she never stopped being a tremendous influence and encouragement to Fred, their family and company. She worked with Fred in researching and designing many of the incredible homes that have been built, including the current family residence, which they affectionately named “The Friendly Home” for the innovations in ADA compatibility that were utilized. She served as president of the MS Society of Fort Worth and fought on the city, state and national level for the Disabilities Act for ADA regulations and safety of the physically challenged. She was recognized by Mayor Barr and the Mayor’s Council of Fort Worth for her influence and dedication to disability awareness for change.
Glenda is loved and respected by everyone who knew her, and her influence on their family, business, church and associations will always be remembered and admired. She had a very strong faith in the Lord and she and Fred remained loyal members of University Christian Church where they married and remained members throughout their lives. A beautiful service was held at University Christian Church in honor of Glenda and her family.
The Memorial is written by Glenda’s loving and appreciative son, Ron.
Lila Parker – In Loving Memory
December 25, 1956 – March 25, 2025
Lila was born on Christmas Day to Lester and Janette Braun in Port Arthur, Texas. She was working as a surgical nurse at Arlington Memorial Hospital when she and Ron met while he was playing in a racquetball tournament in Arlington. Their family consists of two wonderful children: their son, Aaron married to his wife, Amberley, their daughter Shannon, married to her husband, Jon, and their precious daughter, Hannah. Aaron is a successful data analyst, Amberley a talented graphic designer, Shannon a vocalist and worship leader, and Jon is a successful music producer. Lila and Ron always believed that their love for each other, the love for their family, and their relationship with God were their greatest treasures. Lila loved spending time with her family, being active in church and Bible Studies, spending time in her garden, and raising butterflies and purple martin birds.
Lila’s career path was anything but conventional. Following their marriage in 1982, Ron asked Lila to help fulfill his dream of locating and buying an old historical home and restoring it as he had done for his clients through his family's building business. Lila and Ron spent their first year of marriage working nights and weekends restoring the old home, and when it was completed, the home was awarded “Revitalized Home of the Year” by the Fort Worth Board of Realtors. The home was sold immediately by the realtor who offered the opportunity for the award, and Ron and Lila realized she had a true gift for the design-build process. Lila started working with some of the Fred Parker Company clients when the company was asked to give a presentation of their work at the Woman’s Club of Fort Worth. A lady in the audience took a special interest in Lila and asked the company and Lila to look at some major renovations they were planning for their home. It was an 8000 sq. ft estate on eight acres, and it was to become Lila’s first Designer Show Home. She was featured as the interior designer in two rooms the company built. Lila continued her nursing career while raising a family.
Lila believed in education and advancing her career, and through the courses and training she received, earned the credentials of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and Registered Interior Designer with the State of Texas. Her work was featured in a total of five “Designer Showcases” sponsored by the Historic Preservation Council and two Mira Vista “Street of Dreams” Home Tours where the home won top awards, including Best Interior Designer along with design associate, Sherron Bishop, ASID. Lila was the owner of Parker Designs, an independent professional interior design firm that she ran for over 40 years. Lila’s love for people and her design talent showed in everything she did, and her goal was always to personify the client’s personalities in their home.
Lila and Ron committed their lives to the Lord in 1990 and have lived a faithful and successful life caring for their family and clients while pursuing their careers. Ron said he had worked with other interior designers during his career, but Lila was the best. He added that working together with Lila, accomplishing the dreams and goals for their clients was the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition.
In July of 2024, Lila suddenly became very sick and was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer. She fought very hard, but following multiple surgeries and every treatment possible, passed away on March 25, 2025, just 7 short months after it all began. Ron said the outpouring of love, support, and prayer was amazing, and their faith in God and their love for each other sustained them through this difficult ordeal. Ron and Lila were faithful members of HighRidge Church of Fort Worth for over 10 years. A beautiful “Celebration of Life Service” was held by the Church to honor Lila’s life and faith in Jesus Christ. The sanctuary was packed with family, friends, coworkers, and clients, in support of Lila, Ron, and the family.
Ron was asked if he would carry on the company’s tradition, and he said he owed it to her to continue what they had spent their lives creating. To them, the business was a ministry of love through caring for the team and clients, that will continue through Ron’s leadership and the support of the incredible design-build team of the Fred Parker Company, Inc.
“Truly I tell you, one day we will be united in Paradise” From Luke 23:24
“I will love you always, I will love you forever! Faith, Hope, Love, But the Greatest of These is Love.” From 1stCorinthians 13
This Memorial is written by Lila’s loving, and forever enduring husband, Ron.