Veteran Radio Personality Ron Parker Dies

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 31, 2026 | 3:27pm CT

Ron Parker

Veteran radio personality and programmer Ron Parker, whose career spanned more than five decades and included stops at some of the nation's best-known radio outlets, has died following a brief illness.

Parker grew up in Atlanta and began his radio career at age 15. While studying journalism at the University of Georgia, he worked at WJSR, WDOL and WRFC in Athens before landing his first major-market opportunity at WQXI Atlanta in 1973.

His career would take him across the country as both an air personality and programmer. His on-air stops included WLCY Tampa, WINZ-FM and WHYI Miami, KKBQ Houston, KFRC San Francisco, WCBS-FM New York and WLS-FM Chicago.

On the programming side, Parker's resume included KKBQ and KLDE Houston, KKFR (Power 92) Phoenix and Satellite Music Network's Hot AC format. He also worked as a programmer for ABC Radio Networks.

Parker joined Sirius Satellite Radio in July 2008, shortly before its merger with XM, and spent the final 18 years of his career with SiriusXM. He became a familiar national voice on its '60s and '70s channels and most recently was heard weekends on '70s on 7.

"Ron was a consummate radio man," said SiriusXM VP of Music Programming Lou Simon. "He loved being on the air, loved his listeners... and loved his co-workers. He traveled the nation, spreading joy with his effortless on-air sound and love for life."

Veteran programmer Brian Thomas, who worked with Parker in several major markets, recalled first listening to him on KKBQ Houston to improve his own on-air work. The two later worked together at KFRC San Francisco, WCBS-FM New York and WLS-FM Chicago, with Parker also doing fill-in work for Thomas at WNSH (NASH-FM) New York.

Parker was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame in 2019. He also served on the board of Friends of Georgia Radio.

Parker once described himself as a radio "gypsy," an appropriate description for a career that took him from local radio in Georgia to major markets across the country before reaching a national audience at SiriusXM.

In accordance with Parker's wishes, a private interment will be held for immediate family.