SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA-John B. Parker, the founder of OrangeCounty-based Parker Properties and an industry pioneer whose careerspanned 60 years, has died at the age of 83. Parker—who made hismark as a developer, a brokerage executive and a leader ineducation, community and cultural organizations—died of a cerebralhemorrhage at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.

Parker, who was a resident of San Juan Capistrano, had beenactive in Aliso Viejo-based Parker Properties until the time of hisdeath. Over the course of his career, he was responsible for thedevelopment of over 10 million square feet of office space inOrange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego and developed some ofSouthern California’s most recognized commercial buildings.

Parker’s real estate industry accomplishments ranged fromopening the first Orange County office of Coldwell Banker (now CBRichard Ellis) in 1962, to moving Allergan Pharmaceuticals to itscurrent location in Irvine to the development of the Summit OfficeCampus in Aliso Viejo—along with supporting industry education viaefforts like his role in establishing the University of California,Irvine Graduate School of Management. Outside of the industry, hewas active in supporting community and cultural organizationsincluding UC Irvine Program in Geriatric’s Senior Health Center,KidWorks, the Orange County Performing Arts Center and Laguna BeachMuseum of Art.