John M Parker

John M. Parker, Jr. August 24, 1930 ~ April 9, 2016 John passed away peacefully in his sleep April 9, 2016 after celebrating his 34th anniversary with his best friend and wife with a simple, "I love you." He was born in Bastrop, Louisiana to Georgia and John Parker. He had such good memories of his aunts and uncles, many of whom were very close to his age. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army. He enjoyed traveling with them and seeing much of the world. In Germany he served with the Armed Forces Radio Network where he met many celebrities, became a Mason and a Shriner, and enjoyed the country with his family. During this time he completed his Associate of Arts Degree. He retired from the army in 1969 at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Then he was employed by the Federal Civil Service and worked in the education field until it was necessary for him to take a disability retirement in 1985. He became a life member of the Elks in Sierra Vista and enjoyed their civic Activities and functions. He was elected to the position of chairman of the Fry Fire Department in Sierra Vista, Az. He served in the capacity until it was necessary for him to have a heart transplant in 1995. He was blessed in that he was able to celebrate his 21st anniversary of his "new" heart in March. John and his wife Pam moved to Seal Rock, Oregon in 1996 when she retired from teaching. Oregon was like another world compared to Arizona, and they enjoyed exploring the many wonders of the area where they fed the birds, watched sunsets together, and enjoyed this new chapter of life. He volunteered for eighteen years with the Oregon Donor Program at Samaritan Pacific Hospital in Newport, Oregon. The casual acquaintance with the hospital employees, greeting people as they came to the hospital, and encouraging people to become organ donors so that others might have the hope and happiness that his new heart gave him were very satisfying. John is survived by his children: Benny Parker of Hereford, AZ.; Sharon (Robert) Buscher of Sierra Vista, AZ.; and Dan Parker of Hereford, AZ; Peggy Barnes, the mother of his children, of Hereford, AZ.; his step-son, Henry Bollweg of Gold Canyon, AZ.; his grandchildren; Kaysea Buscher and Robert Buscher of Sierra Vista, AZ.; and Johnathan Bollweg of Ohio; two great-grandchildren; Akadius and Morinyo of Sierra Vista, AZ.; his wife Pam; his beloved cat Q.T.; and good friends. His charities of choice: The Shriners Hospital for Children; Donate Life America, and Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Newport, OR.

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John M Parker

August 24, 1930 - April 9, 2016