Frank Arthur Parker

1941 - 2023

Frank Arthur Parker

On November 25th, our father, Frank Arthur Parker of Lucerne, CA, passed away at the age of 81 years old. He passed in the comfort of his home while in the arms of his two daughters. We thought we had more time, but unfortunately that was not the case. We will always treasure our last week with him. We spent time listening to his favorites; Neil Diamond and Creedence Clearwater Revival while constantly reminding him how much we love him and will be there for our step mother, Suzi. It was an honor to spend that time with him.
Frank was born on July 2, 1941, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to Arden and Erva Jean Parker. They later moved to Weed, CA, where he attended elementary and high school. He was part of Weed High's Class of 1959. Weed was a town that was always close to his heart throughout his lifetime and until his death.
Dad could definitely be described as a
"greaser" back in the day. He loved working on his cars with friends. He had a group of friends from his childhood that he hung out with for many years after high school. They eventually started calling themselves "The Outlaws". You all know who you are.
After graduation in September of 1959, Frank joined the Army, He was part of the 25th Infantry Division and was stationed in Hawaii. After serving three years and being honorably discharged he served in the Army Reserves until 1965. He went back home to Weed where he met Frances Nash, while he was working at Mallory Chevrolet. The two were married on July 9, 1966. Together they started a family in that house on Shasta Ave. and had two daughters, Judi and Tracy. They eventually moved to Medford when he got a mechanics job with Allis Chalmers. It was also around that time that Frank and Frances went their separate ways.
He remained in Oregon for several years working for Allis Chalmers, eventually moving up to service management. Allis Chalmers moved him to several places over time. He worked for them in Wisconsin, California and Texas. While working for Allis Chalmers, Dad got to spend time working at Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch and hung out with Doolittle, Loretta's husband. Our best memory with Dad was the road trip when we drove across the country with him when he moved back to California. That was back in the day when you still looked at maps. We had so much fun taking turns being the co-pilot or being the sandwich maker in the back seat and saw so many historical places.
Our dad had a lifetime love for all things NASCAR. He met and has pictures with several famous race car drivers during his times working in the pits. He even owned his own Sprint car at one point in his life and we spent several weekends at the racetrack in Long Beach.
While living in Fremont, CA, he met and married Suzi Camelli on August 10, 1982. After moving to Texas for Allis Chalmers for about three years, they ended up moving back to California where they lived in Long Beach and he became National Service Manager for Kubota Tractor Company. Eventually, he got his construction license and owned All Terrain Backhoe Service for a few years before retiring and moving to Lucerne, CA, to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren.
Known for being a very hard worker, he was not a man to just sit still. He joined the Lake County Veterans Council and he was a advocate for veterans up until the day he left us. He also served in the Military Funeral Honors Guard Program. In 2019 he received the Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award and in 2000 he was named the California State Veteran of the Year. He volunteered for many Veteran Stand Downs as well as, Lake County Vet Connect and had many road trips to pick up supplies with "his friend in crime", Rick Rice.
Frank was preceded in death by his father,
Arden Parker; his mother, Jean Kirby; his step father, Marvin Kirby; his younger brother, Albert Parker; his brother in law, Jack Summers and many aunts and uncles that meant the world to him.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Suzi Parker of Lucerne; his oldest daughter, Judi Luna of Loleta, CA, her husband, Marco Luna and grandsons, Tory Mamea, Tristen Waters; grand daughters, Lauren and her husband, Danny Brown and Brynn Luna. Along with his great grandchildren, Faith and Eliana Mamea and Roy Brown. His youngest daughter, Tracy Kile of Kelsyville, CA; her husband, Donnie Kile; grandson, Wiley Kirk, his fiance, Cecilia Jackson and granddaughter, Keelie Kirk. His little sister, Patti Summers of Mt Shasta, CA, and his nephews, Michael Summers, Jeff and his wife, Jennifer Summers, and Frank Parker. He is also survived by his cousins who were more like brothers and sisters, Pam Rowden, Loretta Bradley, Lee Pangburn and sister in law, Ann Parker.
We cannot forget the special friends that he left behind, including Keith Rohrbacker, of Oroville, who he met while working for Kubota Tractor in Long Beach. We are grateful that he got to see him the Sunday before he passed. His VA friends, Rick Rice, Dave Waldschmitt and Ken Scott of Lake County. He said he will miss your "safety" meetings and we appreciate the pinning ceremony you all held for him at his home, as well as the special ceremony that you held the day after he passed. What an amazing friendship you had. His friend, Marco Rotting, of South Carolina who he also met through VA events and their friendship remained even after he moved. Lastly, Sally and
Richard Acquistipace of Reno, who he knew most of his life and treasured their friendship over the years.
We would like to thank Hospice of Lake
County for their help during the last week of our dad's life.
Burial service will be held on April 8, 2023, at 1 p.m. at The Veterans Circle in Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport. A reception will immediately follow at TNT restaurant.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Lake County Vet Connect.