John and Kim Parker
Meet John and Kim
John and Kim Parker have been married for 26 years and are proud members of the O’Donnell community. They have two children: Aaron, who lives in Lubbock and works for Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and Sara, who resides in California with her husband Michael and their two sons, Izaiah (7) and Luca (19 months).
Both John and Kim are veterans with a passion for service.
John’s story
John was born in London to Bill and Nella Parker. Bill hails from Plymouth, England, and Nella from Rome, Italy. They met after the liberation of Italy from the Germans in 1946 and immigrated to the US in 1965, settling in the San Francisco Bay Area.
John retired in 2012 from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory after a 30-year career as a Plant Maintenance Tech Lead, where he worked alongside world-renowned physicists, including Nobel Prize recipients. If you’re interested in the works of LBL please explore their website https://www.lbl.gov/. It’s really fascinating.
Kim’s Story
Kim was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to Nick Aylsworth and the late Rhonda Borresen. In 1972, she and her mother and younger brother moved to Arizona, eventually settling in Phoenix.
After serving in the Air Force and earning her degree in business and management, Kim worked for Abilene Housing Authority, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and as a business analyst for Mechanics Bank before moving to O’Donnell.
Kim served on City Council and then eventually as Mayor from 2019 to 2024.
Why O’Donnell?
John and Kim were introduced to O’Donnell by longtime friends and fell in love with the community’s hospitality and rural charm.
After purchasing their home in 2009, they made O’Donnell their permanent residence in 2013. Though they miss their family in California, they were drawn to O’Donnell’s values and lower cost of living.
A shared vision
John and Kim’s dream is to create a laundromat that’s more than just a place to wash clothes. They envision it as a gathering spot where friends and neighbors can connect and enjoy each other’s company.
So come on by, even if you don’t have any laundry to do.
You’re always welcome at the Cottonboll Laundromat!
