Arn Ashleigh Parker

Arn Parker Obituary

Arn Ashleigh Parker, a life-long resident of Santa Cruz County, began his journey as an eighth generation Californian on May 6, 1961, and passed into his next life on Sunday, July 20, 2008, at the age of 47. He succumbed peacefully at his home of congestive heart failure due to cardiomyopathy.

Arn "Peedee" Parker attended MacQuiddy, Amesti and Bradley Elementary Schools before going on to become an Aptos Jr. High "Surfer" where he discovered Joe and Jim at Atlantis Fantasyworld and began a life-long hobby of collecting comic books and science fiction collectibles. Arn went on to Aptos High School graduating in 1979 in the top 10% of his class and it was here that he started his first Dungeons and Dragons gaming group. He went on to UCSC, cycling from La Selva Beach to campus daily, and gained a BA in Physics and became a published author as well. Although Arn had been out of the workplace for many years due to his illness he was a very successful Purchaser/Planner and enjoyed working with the many talented professionals he met through his employment at Manning Technologies, Micro-Power Systems, Lipton, Wrigley's, Sambrailo Packaging and Fmali/Good Earth Teas.

Arn leaves behind his two children whom he loved and was so proud of: his son, Alec and his daughter, Ashleigh. He gained such strength from the love of his children and felt blessed everyday he had with them. He was proud of Alec, a 2008 Aptos High School graduate and SCCAL Track & Field Varsity Discus Champion, who will be attending UCSC as a Freshman Physics Major, and Ashleigh, a Junior at Aptos High School and Softball player, whose love and support at home and at the pool, gave him the strength to meet every day's challenges. He is also survived by his wife, Judy Scovel Parker; and his family: mother, Aurora Eloisa Ardaiz Parker; sister, Ari Parker; brother, Arlen Parker; niece, Arielle; nephews, Aiden and Nick; cousins, Steven Ardaiz, Aaron, Jason & Adam Diaz; and his Aunts and Uncles, Aris and Fred Diaz, Mack and Georgia Parker, and Jerry and Jo Parker. His father, Billy Gene Parker preceded him. He also leaves behind many cousins, in-laws and friends who were such a wonderful part of his life.

A Memorial Service will be held for Arn at Mehl's Colonial Chapel in Watsonville on Monday, July 28th, at 12 noon.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Jul. 27, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Arn Parker

1 Entry

Ari Parker

August 21, 2008

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived
okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here
is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up
and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were
gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.

There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for
me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's
chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life
on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not
be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But
one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a
time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will
give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day
was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the
way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick
him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in
your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember
you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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