Douglas A. Parker, 79
Dan McClelland
Retired Hamilton County Sheriff, Douglas A. Parker, 79, of Lake Pleasant, New York passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2022 in the comforts of his home.
Sheriff Parker was born in Tupper Lake on August 13, 1942 the son of Arthur and Loretta Sullivan Parker. After high school he inspired to be an electrician and joined the U.S. Navy with that mind. He would serve three years as an electrician’s mate 2nd class on the aircraft U.S.S. Randolph, where he would see the world and make lifelong friends.
Returning home he would marry the love of his life on September 27, 1969, Brenda LaGrave Parker. Brenda predeceased him on October 10, 2020.
Shortly after their wedding they moved to Lake Pleasant to start their lives as sheriff deputy/jailer and jail matron. In 1973 he became Undersheriff and the county investigator. He received extensive police training in many areas. The highlights of police education include attendance at the Institute for Delinquency in Crime at St. Lawrence University and Cornell University’s Radiological Defense Officers School.
In 1982 he successfully ran for Hamilton County Sheriff and in January 1983 he was sworn into office, a position formerly held by his father since 1964. Sheriff Parker proudly held that office for 26 years until his retirement in 2009. His son in-law Sheriff Karl G. Abrams currently holds that office.
Sheriff Parker was a faithful communicate and former parish council member of St. James Church, and is a lifetime member of the NYS Sheriff’s Association. He always looked forward to his winter stays in Florida, the many excursions with their fifth wheel camper and his times spent hunting and fishing at camp on Low’s Lake.
Sheriff Parker is survived by his two children, Richard A. Parker of Auburn, N.Y., Laura Abrams (Sheriff Karl G. Abrams) of Piseco; five grandchildren; Rylie, Riordan and Shannon Parker of Auburn, Isabel and Parker Abrams of Piseco; a sister, Janet Parker Ferren of Litchfield, N.H.; two brothers-in-law, Thomas Perkins of Speculator and Freeman Stuart of Tupper Lake, several nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents and Brenda, he was pre-deceased by a granddaughter Margo Abrams, his brother Maurice Parker, his sister in-law Sally Stuart; a sister, Margaret Perkins and a brother-in-law, Donald Ferren.
Visitation will be held on Friday February 18, 2022 at St. James Catholic Church in Lake Pleasant from 10 a.m. to noon where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon. Burial will take place on Saturday February 19, 2022 at 11 a.m. in Long Lake Cemetery, Long Lake NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Piseco Vol. Ambulance Corps. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Northville Funeral Service. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.