King Parker will not run for a fourth term on the Renton City Council.

Parker, owner of King and Bunnys Appliances in the Highlands, has chaired every council committee and currently heads the council’s Planning and Development Committee.

He ran for mayor in 2003 against Kathy Keolker, losing by 10 percentage points.

Parker’s term expires on the council at the end of December. Mark Martinez of Renton announced on Wednesday that he plans to run for Parker’s seat. Ed Prince, who initially announced he would run against council member Marcie Palmer, now will run for the new open seat.

Parker, a “young” 72, said it’s time for him to let others serve the community.

“The city is in good shape. The city has a good council. The city has as good mayor. The city is running well,” he said Wednesday from Palm Springs, where he was attending a trade event.

“It’s a good time to leave,” he said.

But Parker said he will remain active in Renton. He’s held leadership positions on the Renton Community Foundation and the Renton Chamber of Commerce, among many others.

“Renton is a wonderful place,” he said. “I am just thrilled to have had the opportunity to serve.”

Parker’s not retiring from his appliance business in the Highlands, which he has operated since 1982. “They’re going to have to carry me out of there on a refrigerator,” he said.

And he praises his wife Bunny, whom, he said, has “absolutely supported me” not only in his government activities but at the store, too. That support, he said, “is absolutely essential.”

“My wife is No. 1,” he said.