Ronald James Parker

Ronald James Parker, 83

Ronald James Parker, lifelong fisherman and resident of Flathead Valley, was snagged and reeled up to Heaven on October 12th where he was reunited with his loving wife, Jane, whom he has missed so much. It brings great comfort to know that they are together again, fishing in paradise. Ron was just eight days shy of his 84th birthday.

After a childhood filled with crazy shenanigans, Ron joined the Air Force at the age of 17. He was stationed in Turkey as a crew chief in charge of the team mechanics that kept the "birds in the air", mostly working on the B-47 Stratojet. Near the end of his service, he was stationed at Malmstrom AFB where he met his one-and-only, Jane. Her pork chops and potatoes smothered in homemade gravy had him proposing marriage within months. He won her over by playing and singing Johnny Cash songs on his guitar. They married in 1963, settled in Columbia Falls, and had four Parker girls within the first 5 years of marriage. They purchased their home in 1969 where they spent the rest of their lives filling the home with love and music. Ron worked until retirement at the Plum Creek Lumber mill. He worked a lot of double shifts, never called in sick, and never shirked a duty. He was head of the Safety Committee for many years, a responsibility he never took lightly.

Ron loved fishing, camping, hunting and the Kansas City Chiefs. But more than rainbow trout, he loved his family. He was a great dad, who was always present at all his girls' events. He provided us with a lifetime of adventures (some dangerous) and stories (some hard to believe) and never-ending love and support. He prided himself on his quick-witted humor, his well-manicured lawn, his military service to this great country, and his close-knit family.

Among the many who will miss Ron are his 4 devoted daughters: Marilyn, Jeanie, Sherry, and Tamy; sons-in-law: Todd and Dana; grandchildren: Taylor (Jace), Haley (Jaris), Jake, Zach, Andrew (Shirley) & Nick; great grandchildren: Kaydence, Knox, and Nash; three brothers: Dwayne, Ken, and Al; and his best buddies: Paul, Garry, and Mike, as well as many other close relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, and his sons-in-law: Senon and Keith.

Graveside services will be at Woodlawn Cemetery at 11:00 on Saturday, Nov. 1st, with a reception lunch following at his home of 56 years on Railroad Street. Please join us to celebrate his life.