Name: Celebration of Life for David Lowden Parkinson
Start: 2017-01-22T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-01-23T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Ironwood Country Club

David Lowden Parkinson

March 26, 1938 - December 17, 2016

David L. Parkinson, 78, passed away suddenly on December 17, 2016 in Palm Desert, CA.

Dave was born in East Orange, NJ to William and Elizabeth Parkinson.

He moved to Mesa, AZ as a child with his mother and maternal grandmother. They later relocated to Bisbee, AZ where Dave attended and graduated Bisbee High School. During his senior year in Bisbee, he received his appointment to the US Naval Academy. He entered the Academy in 1956 and graduated in 1960.

After graduation, he served in the US Navy as a Nuclear Submariner on the USS Permit and USS Guardfish 1960-1966.

After the Navy, Dave started his Engineering business; Westec, Inc., in San Diego, CA in 1975. He sold the business in 1978 to ERC.

Dave's childhood love was trains. As a young boy his life goal was to own his own railroad - that dream came true May 1991 with the Arizona & California Railroad in Parker, AZ. Over the next 11 years, he acquired the California Northern Railroad, Napa, CA. (1993), Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad, Elma, WA. (1997), and San Pedro Southwestern Railroad, Benson, AZ. (2004). Dave was known and loved by many people in all facets of his life. Everywhere he went he left a mark on people's lives. He was a brilliant Entrepreneur and Businessman.

Most importantly, Dave was a loyal husband to his wife, Sancy M. Parkinson, father to son Scott L. Parkinson (Maura), and daughter Christel P Turkiewicz, stepdaughters, Sarah M. Randall, and Hannah M. Roebuck (Jason) and Grandpops to Andres R. Parkinson, Diego Z. Parkinson (Scott), Tristan Y. Turkiewicz, Trafford A. Parkinson, Blythe I. Turkiewicz (Christel), Antonio C. Moreno (Sarah), Larson M. Roebuck, Harrison T. Roebuck (Hannah).

The family is having a private funeral and internment at Tulocay Funeral Home on December 28, 2016.

A celebration of Dave's life will be held on January 22, 2017 at Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, CA from 2:00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers Dave's request was to have donations be given in his name to:

US Naval Academy Foundation

United States Armed Services YMCA

Boy Scouts of America National Council

King's School, Palm Springs

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: desertsun.com/obituaries.

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

Published by The Desert Sun on Jan. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for David Parkinson

Sponsored by thedesertsun.com.

9 Entries

Peggy Davis

April 2, 2017

May you rest in peace Dave. You were kind, thoughtful and caring. You will be missed dearly. Prayers for your family to find peace and comfort and cherish the great memories you made.

Ron Sanders

January 21, 2017

On Behalf of Ronnie Sanders...
To Sancy, Scott and Dave's entire family.....

Ron was truly shocked to hear of Dave's sudden passing. He had talked to Dave a few months ago and Dave once again asked if there was something he could possibly do for Ron. He did that often.

Dave and Ron were best buddies growing up in Bisbee and would often drive the "High Lonesome" road outside of Warren for its beauty and solitude.

Ron was so very proud when Dave asked him to be Scott's God-Father... an honor he cherished. He also loved when Dave and Sancy would come to Reno to visit and catch up on old times.

Ronnie's prayers are with all of you,
Steve Sanders (Ron's brother)

John and Phyllis Cade

January 13, 2017

Dear Sancy, Scott and other members of the Parkinson Family,

We send you our sincere condolences at this time of your tragic loss. May your hearts continue to be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate David's life which he lived so well.

Dave and I were shipmates and close friends when we served in the USS PERMIT (SSN-594). He was a fine officer, a professional submariner and a true "sailor's sailor." He was also a good friend of our entire family. He was "Our Bachelor" and "Uncle Dave" to our children. Our daughter still cherishes the stuffed dinosaur that Dave gave her.

Our paths crossed again during his time at Westec. He was a fine CEO, an excellent business man and a tough competitor.

During his railroading days, I regret that I didn't have the opportunity to "ride the rods" and "blow the whistle" with him.

As he crosses the bar and goes on Eternal Patrol, we wish him fair winds and following seas. We will cherish his memories forever and now it's time to say, "Sailor, rest your oar!"

The Cade Family
John, Phyllis, Wesley, Wendy and John Wm.

John W. Cade,
Captain, USNR (RET.)
[email protected]
Home/Fax: 760-918-9778
5318 Don Alvarez Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92010
J Cell: 619-787-3044

Bill Dixon

January 10, 2017

On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI), I offer our sincere condolences on David's passing. You and your loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers. We are forever grateful for David's service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service. To our Brother of the Phin we say, Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones who remain. Thank you for your service to our country."
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. - 2 Thess 3:16.

David Lowden Parkinson LT(SS), US Navy, Now on Eternal Patrol.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
His record is now posted online in the Eternal Patrol file on the USSVI website.

Bill Dixon, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.

Nick Nichols

January 9, 2017

To the Parkinson Family,

On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on David's passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one and our shipmate. All SUBVETS and their families have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and David will always be remembered as a Brother of the Phin and a great Patriot.

LT(SS) David Lowden Parkinson
US Navy Submarine Veteran Retired
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch

Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate

Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, MTCM(SS) USN Ret.
Base Chaplain

Vincent & Emile Matyas/Wolf

January 9, 2017

We are so sorry to hear of David's passing on when reading the newspaper this morning. Our sincerest sympathy goes out to Sancy & his entire Family. Although we did not know him for a very long time, we could tell he was a very kind and thoughtful person and we enjoyed when we did speak with him and we enjoyed being his neighbors. Our best wishes go out to all of you who knew and loved him throughout his life.

January 9, 2017

I met David volunteering with SCORE & enjoyed getting to know him. I learned from our conversations about his going to the Naval Academy as did my father. Yet we never did get around to his love of trains as did my husband & family.
David will sorely be missed at SCORE.
Sandy Neja

January 9, 2017

I'm sorry for your loss. Draw close to God in Prayer . Pray constantly. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

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