Glenda & Lila

Glenda Parker - In Loving Memory

September 11, 1934 - April 14, 2026

Glenda was born in Fort Worth in 1934 to parents Ruby and George Baldwin. She and Fred were married in 1951 at ages 16 and 18 in Fort Worth where 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 8 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, principals, 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 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 disabilities awareness for change.

Glenda is loved and respected by everyone who knew her and her influence on their family, business, church, and associations will be always remembered and admired. She had a very strong faith in the Lord and she and Fred remained loyal members of University Church Christian Church where they married and remained members throughout their lives.

Ron Parker

Partner-President

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 met Ron while he was playing in a racquetball tournament in Arlington. Their family consists of two wonderful children: their son Aaron, his wife Amberley, their daughter Shannon, her husband Jon, and 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 their family is their greatest treasure. 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 which 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 spent their lives caring for their family and clients and 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 made working with clients and accomplishing their dreams and goals for their homes the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition.

Lila and Ron committed their lives to the Lord in 1990 and have lived a faithful life and marriage ever since. Ron was asked if he would carry on the company’s tradition without Lila, and he said he owed it to her to continue what they had spent their lives creating. The business is a ministry and a love to them that will be continued through Ron’s leadership and the support of the incredible design-build team of the Fred Parker Company Inc.