God carried Dennis R. Parker, 72, on Aug. 6, 2018, in Long Beach, Calif., to sing in the heavenly choir, alongside his late wife, Nancy Carnahan Parker. Born in Los Angeles, Calif. he was the second son of Gertrude “Trudy” Nelson and Donald Parker. He retired in 2003 in Oak Harbor.
He served our country in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. For many years he was instrumental in helping moms and their unborn child, by being the President of the Pregnancy Care Center Board in Oak Harbor. He loved to perform in high school musicals and sang for a brief time in the Edmonds Community Chorale and the Skagit Valley Chorale. He loved music of all kinds, but especially broadway musicals and liked to make up his own silly lyrics to songs and tell jokes.
He was a lover of cats, especially Shadow, his surviving cat who loved to sit on his lap and sleep under the comforter on his bed. Dennis had a beautiful soul, kind heart and open arms to everyone. He graduated from Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, Calif. in 1963 and from California State University, Fullerton. For nearly 30 years he worked with GTE, retiring as Marketing Manager. His faith in God was extremely important, as was his love of family and friends. He will be missed by family and all who knew him, as well as those who merely crossed his path.
He is survived by his sons, Ron (Andrya) Parker, and Ken (Robyn) Parker, both of Anaheim, Calif.; step-sons and daughters, Kimberlee Stutler and Stacy (Jerrett) Thompson, both of Las Vegas, Nev., Scott (Kristina) Stutler, Denver, Colo. and David Stutler, Dallas, Texas; 16 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; his brother Alan (Morrie) Parker, Oak Harbor, step-brother Randy, the Philippines, and his best friend Judy Hakins, Anacortes.
Private interment will be in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, resting with Nancy, the love of his life, who preceded him in death. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Pregnancy Care Center in Oak Harbor, referenced in Dennis’s name.
A Celebration of Life for Dennis will be held 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8, 2018 at the Family Bible Church, 2760 Heller Road, Oak Harbor for friends and family. All are welcome.
Arrangements by Memory Garden Memorial Park and Mortuary, Brea, Calif., and Edline-Yahn & Covington Mortuary in Kent.
