Roger Lynn Parker passed away peacefully at home on June 4, 2025, surrounded by 17 family members and close friends following a yearlong battle with cancer and just a few weeks after celebrating his 74th birthday.

Roger was born in Berkeley, California, to Ruby and Lynn Parker, and spent his early years moving around the state as his father, an Episcopal priest, took on various assignments. His time at Riverside High School helped shape his lifelong talents in carpentry, metalwork, and automotive repair.

After high school, Roger embarked on a memorable journey, walking much of the Pacific Crest Trail. That adventure deepened his love of the outdoors-especially camping, fishing, and cooking over an open fire. A longtime member of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Roger was passionate about ocean life and was known as a "hero of the ocean" by those who knew him best. He loved scuba diving and took great pride in his many successful fishing trips for tuna and salmon in the Monterey Bay. Professionally, Roger had been a restaurant manager in Hawaii, Los Gatos and Santa Cruz, and he was famous among family for once surprising them by baking 32 dozen chocolate chip cookies in a single afternoon.

He is survived by his son and daughter in law and his beloved grandsons, all of Capitola. He also leaves behind his brothers Ron and Gordon and their wives and children, all of whom reside in the Riverside area.

Roger met his life partner, Christine Kelsey, on the quiet country road they both called home in the Aptos Hills. Their bond was immediate and enduring. Over their 25 years together, they shared a life filled with love, laughter, and hard work-especially in developing properties in San Diego and the Monterey Bay area.

Roger embraced Christine's children-Michele, Charles, and Albert Gonzales-and he became a father figure and grandfather. He passed on practical skills like rebuilding the barn, driving a tractor, repairing pool pumps, tending his large rose garden, raising a flock of 80 sheep, setting up elaborate train sets and barbecuing whole turkeys to the next generation.

Roger will be remembered for his deep kindness, quiet strength, adventurous spirit, liberal politics and spontaneous humor. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the skills he shared, and the love he gave so freely. As one of his pals said, "He is the last of an era." The family plans a celebration of life gathering in October.

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

Published by Watsonville Pajaronian from Aug. 28 to Sep. 19, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Roger Parker

Sponsored by Santa Cruz Watsonville Cremation & Burial Service.

2 Entries

Christine Kelsey

September 22, 2025

I am sitting here beside Roger as he passes on to another reality. He has ever been the quiet caregiver and protector of our family. He has introduced us to adventures we never would have had. He has taught us and my children and grandchildren so much! And he has brought us more tuna and salmon than we could ever eat. Thank you my dearest, my days with you have been the happiest of my life. With everlasting love, Christine

Brian & Susie Courtney

September 3, 2025

We were both so saddened to hear the news of Roger's passing. We are so grateful that our lives overlapped over the years we were neighbors on that same beautiful country road. Roger was always so kind, friendly and very hardworking. Seeing him happy on his tractor taking care of something that needed attention. We had the delight of eating some of his freshly caught tuna several times and wow, it was so good and cooked with pride. I like the word "seasoned" to describe Roger. A man who had a treasure chest of life skills, experiences and abilities and a wonderful quiet strength. We remember laughing the day he and Christine came down to our place to move our dove house up to their place. Fences were re arranged, brush cleared and the dove house strapped onto the forklift on his tractor. It was pretty awe inspiring to witness and the dove house was gone and relocated up the road to their place so quickly. A very meaningful memory as also Roger had such a love for birds. Our love and condolences to Christine and the family.

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