Joshua Parker

1976 - 2021

Joshua David Parker

November 20, 1976 - August 19, 2021

Joshua died in his sleep after a sudden illness on August 19,2021. In three months, he would have been 45 years old.

His Rosary will occur on September 6th at Saint Louis de Montfort Catholic Church at 6:30 in Orcutt. The Funeral Mass will be on September 7 at 12:30 followed by a graveyard service at the Santa Maria Cemetery and reception at the Santa Maria Country Club.

Josh's life was enriched immeasurably by his daughter, Emily Marie Parker. He was her father, but the two of them were buddies, always planning for adventure, especially fishing, hiking, and trips to Loreto, Mexico for more fishing.

His passing was sudden and unexpected, but the unexpected inhabited all that he did. His 24 years in the Air Force, and more recently, with the Defense Contract Management Authority, took him all over the world. Two assignments to Iraq and two additional ones to Afghanistan, in addition to smaller assignments that took him to Italy, Africa (Monrovia,Liberia) and others in the Pacific theater.

It appears he never came across a stranger. People all over the world knew and loved him. Whether traveling alone in the Hindu Kush or with a large contingent of aircraft workers, he was never an unknown quantity. After so many years in the military, we were used to sudden phone calls from strange places in the world, including ones from two Christmases in Afghanistan.

Two years ago, Josh started a job at the Chevron Oil Refinery in El Segundo, near LAX. It proved to be a great fit for his talents.

We are all missing him, even now. If a room had no laughter, he viewed it as his job to liven it up. If you knew Josh, you understand. In addition to his humorous side, he was always known for his willingness to help others when he saw a need, even if not asked. When asked by a friend why he would volunteer to assist in the project of building tents in Liberia when Ebola occurred, his answer was, If I dont, who else will? That attitude reflects his entire life.

Josh is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jules and Mary Yurashus, Wil and Elda Parker. He is survived by his daughter, Emily Parker, her mother, Tammy Bates, father, Kenneth Parker, mother, Carol Diane Parker, sisters, Andrea Noelle Tolentino (Salvador Tolentino), Jennifer Medina (Albert Medina), aunt and uncle, Cynthia Louise Murray, (Parker) and Robert Dean Murray , nephews and nieces Jordan Tolentino, Natalia Tolentino, Aidan Medina, Emma Medina, Nikolai Medina, Gianna Medina and several cousins.

One of his proudest achievements was completing his Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and, of course, his involvement in his daughter's life.

Flowers may be sent to Lori Mortuary or contributions to Wounded Warriors in Josh's name.