Adan Parker

1990 - 2015

Former Anchorage resident Adan Parker, 25, died on Nov. 10, 2015, in Olympia, Wash. Adan was born on July 11, 1990, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Bill and Patrice Metcalfe Parker. He attended Chugach Optional, Central Middle School and West High School. He moved to Olympia in 2008, to attend The Evergreen State College, but soon found his passion in punk rock and remained there, becoming part of the renowned Olympia music scene. Adan was wise beyond his years and cared deeply about others. His older sisters often came to him for advice. He was a voracious reader who spent hours educating himself on history and political theory. His curiosity and passions drove his pursuits. He believed deeply in social justice, was extremely principled and lived true to his strong personal values. He did not seek others' approval and direction: he was proud to forge his own path. Four years ago he taught himself to play the drums and had his own music studio in Olympia. He recently began to teach himself guitar. This summer he toured the West Coast with his band Defaceman, and had plans to travel to Ireland next year to play music. Adan loved his family and friends deeply, and was consistently kind and wise and true to them. He lived with a bright and engaging spirit. Those who love him were stunned by the shadow that passed across his hopeful light, and will remember the brightness he brought into the world. His family said: "The world lost another tender soul. Adan and his brother Aram made brief but remarkable appearances. They were both, in very different ways, too sensitive for this world. Our hearts are broken in new places." Adan was preceded in death by his older brother, Aram Parker; grandparents, Vern and Pat Metcalfe of Juneau, Alaska; grandparents, William and Veronica Parker of Des Moines, Iowa; uncle, Paul Helmar of Juneau; and great-aunts, Nadine Price of Anchorage, Kay Prather of Juneau and Marilyn Kling of Chicago, Ill. His freshman year roommate and dear friend, John Buchanan of Connecticut, also preceded him in death. Adan is survived by his parents, Bill and Patrice Parker; sisters, Mara Carnahan, Anya Parker and Alia Parker; brothers-in-law, Patrick Carnahan and Neil Coles; and nephews, Finn and Adler Carnahan. He is also survived by his uncles, Pat and Tim Parker of West Des Moines, Iowa; aunts and uncles, Mac and Ann, Kimberly, Peter and Sandy and John and Gemma Metcalfe, all of Juneau; Teeny Metcalfe and Ray Brudie and Jake Metcalfe and Moira Smith of Anchorage; Mark and Linda Metcalfeof California; and Heather and Ronnie Bell of North Carolina; cousins, Patrice and Leo Helmar, Luke, Lynn and Nellie Metcalfe, Bienvenido, Peter, Maggie and Owen Metcalfe, Justin and Jason Metcalfe and Ronnie, Patricia and Nadine Bell. He was loved by many loyal friends, including Betty Ramage and Don Clocksin, Laurie and Steven Constantino, Evan and Ruby Fried, Tieri Li'eno, Alice Wynne, Silas Romig, Grace Spohnholz, and the love of his life, Julia Suazo. A memorial service will be held at noon on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, at Bear Tooth Theaterpub. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the suicide prevention organization, NowMattersNow.org.