Francis Gardner Parker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and cherished member of the Houston community, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the 26th of April 2025, at the age of 83. Born in Bryan, Texas on February 21, 1942, Gardner Parker was the son of Mary Ann Gardner and Milton Lawrence Parker.

Gardner, or G.P., found his second home at Camp Longhorn, a place that profoundly shaped his identity. From the age of nine until his passing, he was a camper, counselor, advocate, board member, and lifelong ambassador of Camp Longhorn. It was his place of peace and joy, and he held a deep and enduring love for both Camp and the Robertson family, who made it so special.

Gardner graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan, Texas in 1960. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1966, serving honorably as a reservist until 1972. He went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a B.A. in Accounting in 1970. He began his professional career at Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young LLP) in Houston. He was named Partner in 1978 and served in that role until 1984, when he withdrew from the firm to form Parker Investments, a private consulting and investment firm. Gardner had an illustrious career brokering deals between companies and serving on numerous Boards of Directors. He also maintained his Certified Public Accountants license for more than 50 years.

At the time of his passing, Gardner was serving as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of Edge Resources Ltd. and Norton Ditto. He also held active Board of Directors positions with Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc., Enterprise Offshore Drilling, and Camp Longhorn.

Previously, Gardner served as the Trust Director of Camden Property Trust, where he was a founding director and served as the Lead Independent Trust Manager for over 25 years. He also served as a Director for several other public companies including: Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., Sharps Compliance Corp. (where he was a past Chairman), Crown Resources Corp., USLD Communications Corp., Blue Dolphin Energy Company, Hercules Offshore, Inc., Triangle Petroleum Corporation, U.S Long Distance, Inc., and Pinnacle Oil & Gas. Gardner was very privileged to ring the opening bells for both The New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ stock exchanges (always without socks). In addition, he served as a Director for many private companies, such as Whitney Bank, Online Completions, Computer Control Systems, Inc., Gillman Automotive Group, Sherwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, NetNearU Corp., NII Communications Inc., MCS Technologies LLC, and Global Restaurant Systems LLC, First Horizon Bank, among others.

A natural born leader, Gardner didn’t merely join organizations throughout his life, he rose to various leadership roles. He served as President or Chairman of numerous clubs and organizations, including the Camp Longhorn Alumni and Special Parents Organization, the Houston Chapter of the Texas Exes, Club Dinger, Texas Longhorn Education Foundation, the Touchdown Club of Houston, River Oaks Breakfast Club, Houston Longhorn Club, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the University of Texas Accounting Advisory Council. He served on the school board for River Oaks Baptist School and founded Lamar High School Business Resource Council. Gardner also worked as Finance Chairman for two Houston mayoral candidates and served as Campaign Chairman for the successful election of a candidate to the U.S. Congress. He was proud to be an appointed member of the 2017 Houston Super Bowl Host Committee. Gardner was also a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club and was Board certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors (the “NACD”) and was also a NACD Certified Board Leadership Fellow.

In 2023, the American Petroleum Institute (API) honored Gardner with their Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award is bestowed on a member of the Oil and Gas community who has exemplary business achievements, community service, and positively promotes their industry. An Appreciation Gala was given in his honor. To his enjoyment, he was roasted by some of his dear friends that included Keion Henderson, Warren Moon, Jim Nantz, Ric Campo, Earl Campbell, Amanda Brock, Roger Clemens, Dr. Larry Benz, Keith Oden, and Coach Jackie Sherrill.

Gardner was a legendary University of Texas alumnus and a lifelong Longhorn football booster. He proudly attended 77 consecutive Texas–OU Red River Rivalry games, from 1947 through 2024. In the 1980s, he produced a sports highlight TV show featuring Longhorn greats, Earl Campbell and Darrell Royal. Gardner was a longtime member of River Oaks Country Club, where his fantasy football team claimed the coveted 2024 league championship. He was also a devoted supporter of the River Oaks U.S. Men’s Clay Court Tennis Tournament, serving on its sponsor committee for decades.

Gardner’s adventurous spirit and love for people made him an avid traveler. Gardner especially loved Isla Mujeres, Mexico, a place he visited innumerable times. He was the self-described honorary mayor of the island and was even presented with an official key to the city…despite not speaking a word of Spanish. His legendary presence earned him a bar named in his honor, GardnerParkerville, on the island’s main street, where he was known to hold court and occasionally dance on the bar top with a margarita in hand. Gardner would often organize trips with friends, where he’d bring together people from all walks of life, creating bonds that transcended backgrounds. Above all else, it was his life’s mission to bring people together and form connections—a calling he fulfilled time and time again.

Gardner’s sharp mind, keen business instincts and genuine passion for helping others succeed made him a trusted advisor to many. He offered guidance, honest feedback, and practical wisdom rooted in experience. Always generous with his time, he was quick to help someone shape an idea, face a challenge, or take a leap of faith - most likely over a cocktail. His confidence in others often gave them the courage to believe in themselves.

Gardner was preceded in death by his parents and his Aunt Catherine Parker. He is survived by his devoted wife, Mia Elkins Parker; his children, Mason Parker, Frannie Parker, & Natalie Parker; his stepchildren, Alex & Adriane Elkins, Eric Elkins, Brodie Elkins, & Emily Elkins; his "bonus kids", D’ante Lee, Faith “Fefe” Malton, John Edel, & Rebekah Hobart; his grandchildren, Miles Parker, Oliver Parker, Rose Reeder, Adam Elkins, Eloise Elkins, & Luke Elkins; and his beloved nephew, Richard Kentopp. He is also survived by his former wife Marianne Payne and his sister, Candy Parker. Gardner also leaves behind many dear friends and extended family members, who cherished his warm heart, booming voice, and generous spirit.

Gardner left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He had a rare and remarkable gift for making people feel special, effortlessly turning strangers into friends. He was every bartender and waiter’s favorite “annoying” customer. A master storyteller and the ultimate barstool raconteur, Gardner proudly held the title of supreme arbiter of “Good Bullshit.” He never lost the heart of his inner child, and he approached life with mischief and humor until the very end. Gardner Parker will be deeply missed, but the laughter, wisdom, and joy he brought into the world will live on through all who were lucky enough to know him.

The Parker family extends their deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and care teams at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Houston Methodist. Their extraordinary expertise, compassion, and dedication gave Gardner not only more time, but meaningful, joyful years filled with family, friendship, travel, and purpose. The family credits these medical professionals with extending his life—and the quality of it—in ways for which they are eternally thankful.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, the 22nd of May at 1:00 PM. For details regarding the service, please visit: https://gardnerparkerscelebration.rsvpify.com.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.