Ohio horseman Doug Parker dies

Ohio horseman David Douglas "Doug" Parker, 62, of Canal Winchester, died Thursday, Aug. 26, OSU James Cancer Hospital in Columbus.

 

Born in Defiance, Ohio, Parker was a 1966 graduate of Columbus Bishop Hartley High School and a 1970 graduate of Ohio University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in Education. He was a multi-year letterman in basketball in high school and college.

 

Parker was a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired from a long career as Recreation Superintendent for Worthington Parks and Recreation. He was the founder of the Worthington Summer Basketball League and was a Central Ohio Varsity Basketball official. He loved to fish and was an avid sports fan.

 

Parker's true passion was owning, training and racing Standardbred horses.

 

He is survived by his wife, Marty McLain; daughter, Lindy Beth (Brian) Patterson; granddaughters, Riley Jean and Lyla Jane Patterson; brothers, Pat (Peggy) Parker, Denny (Mary Ellen) Parker, Rodney (Joy) Parker, Craig (Lisa) Parker and Shawn (Georgia) Parker; sisters, Debbie (Darrell) Ault and Dawn (Shawn) Lipka; sister-in-law, Mary (Larry) Larson; brothers-in-law, Bill (Denise) McLain and Chas McLain; many dear nieces, nephews, other family members, and dear friends.

 

The family will receive visitors Sunday, Aug. 29, from 4-8 pm at the Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home & Crematory, 650 W. Waterloo St., Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110, where a funeral service will be held Monday, Aug. 30, at 11 am. Father Mike Watson will officiate.

 

Donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy) in his memory. Online condolences available at http://www.spencefuneralhome.com/.