CHARLES PARKER

1928 - 2018

CHARLES PARKER Our beloved husband, father and "Grampie" Charles Elbridge Parker, 90, of Fallon, passed away peacefully July 23, 2018, at home, surrounded by his family. Charles was born March 30, 1928, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Robert Calvin Parker and Georgiana Fulkerson Parker. In 1931, a family friend and engineer, Mr. Page, suggested to Robert Parker that he move his family to McKeeversville, Nevada to work on the construction of the new dam on the Colorado River. The Parkers were among the first families to move to McKeeversville, where they lived in a tent. When Charles was 17, he joined the U.S. Navy. While stationed in southern California, he met his wife, Patricia Pate, who was the sister of Bobbie Pate, one of his Navy buddies. After a short courtship, they were married and returned to Boulder City, where Charles served as a pipe fitting apprentice at the dam and he and Pat began their family. Charles worked as a pipe fitter all over the world, from the Middle East to Puerto Rico to islands in the Pacific and South Africa. But, even though the family traveled extensively, they always kept a home base, first in southern California and later in northern California. He was a proud member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters since 1953. In 1991, Charles retired to Fallon, where he took up gardening and made his own desert "oasis." He loved his home and spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving, hardworking family man with a sweet tooth and a great sense of humor. Charles was the youngest sibling and last surviving member of his original family. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Parker. He is survived by his wife, Patricia "Pat" Pate Parker; son, Charles Parker (Nancy); daughter, Linda Parker Gomez (Jesse); grandsons, Richard Parker and Andy Parker; granddaughters, Heidi Mathews, Corrine Jones and Julie Plunkett; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Viewing was previously held. Graveside service will be at 9 a.m. Monday, July 30, at Boulder City Cemetery, 501 Adams Blvd., Boulder City.