King Parker was born May 8, 1939 to Lucille and Donald Parker in Portland, OR. King was a focused and determined man from a young age. He began working at age 15 at the local drug store and did not stop working until the day he passed. King enjoyed life to the fullest he embraced the hard times and rejoiced in his many accomplishments.
1958-1961 stationed at Pearl Harbor, King served in the United States Navy, spending much of that time on submarines. Following King’s service in the Navy he began his career at Sears in 1961. During his time at Sears he met and married the love of his life Bunny, the two were married July 3, 1967. King was honored to adopt Bunny’s son, a year later they gave birth to a son of their own. While raising his family and working at Sears, King went back to Bellevue Community College, and obtained his AA Degree (with honors) in Marketing in 1976. King managed the TV department and the major home appliance department. It was at Sears that King found his passion in life, home appliances. He left Sears in May 1979 and opened Appliance Discounters in June of 1979. After three years Appliance Discounters closed in May of 1982. July of 1982 King and Bunnys Appliances was born, this became the family owned and operated company that we all know today. In 1988, King and Bunny welcomed a third son, a teen at the time, into their lives and their family.
The City of Renton became King’s stomping grounds, living and owning a business in the city gave him many avenues for growth as an individual and a business owner. King was a very involved man when it came to the community. He enjoyed volunteer work and improving his community any way he could. King served as the PTA President at Sierra Height’s Elementary, Kiwanis board member 1976-1982, Renton Chamber of Commerce board member for 2 terms 2003-2009, Renton Rotary 1992-2017, Blue Ribbon Committee (founding member), Salvation Army Food Bank Committee, Renton 1999 Citizen of the Year, 2004 PTSA Outstanding Service Award, Renton Technical College Foundation Board Member, Community in Schools Renton (CISR) Board Member, 1994-1996 Board of Adjustments, Renton Community Foundation Founding Board Member 1999 – 2009 and President 2008-2009 and League of Extraordinary Givers 2015. In 1996 King was elected to the Renton City Council where he served in many different positions, Finance Committee, Planning and Development Committee, Utilities Committee, Transportation Committee, Community Service Committee, and Council President. King Parker had many loves and enjoyed many things in life but his family, his store, and his community were his heart.
King passed away May 2, 2017 at his home surrounded by love. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bunny (2015) and their eldest son Shannon (2002). He is survived by two sons, two daughters-in- law, two granddaughters, and his brother. King will be remembered as an honest, ethical, giving, fair, a leader, a family man and a friend to many.
King you will be missed and loved by many. Rest peacefully King of Renton.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 21st at 1:00pm at the Renton Pavilion. Please join us in celebrating the second most interesting man and the amazing life he lived and loved. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=kingsley-george-parker&pid=185387007#sthash.dqy8tV0j.dpuf
