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. Dad declined fast once he was diagnosed with renal failure and an aggressive form of prostate cancer. 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 Water Rival 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. They would paint their cars to match and drive to Yreka to participate in demolition derbys. Known as a bit of a rebel back in the day, he was the one to be known for driving down Main St, Weed only on three wheels. We have also heard many stories about him and his friends attending the dances in Mt. Shasta. Sounds to us like it was a fun time to grow up in Siskiyou County. He had a great 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.

He grew up very close to his aunts, uncles and cousins. They have many fun crazy stories to tell about the times at the house on Shasta Avenue and many good times playing poker at our family reunions at Mt Shasta Park every year.

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 3 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. We have pictures to prove what a fun time they had with Doolittle ending up fully clothed in the swimming pool. 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. We got to see so many historic places in the United States, like Mt Rushomore, Yellowstone National Park, the Wild Bill Cody Museum, the Corn Palace, The Black Hills, Wall Drug and Deadwood, South Dakota where we saw the gravesites of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. We have t-shirts from every place we went and I still have them to this day. Also, one of the best things about staying at Dad’s when he was single was that we had cereal for dinner!

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 10th, 1982. After moving to Texas for Allis Chalmers for about 3 years, they ended up moving back to California where they lived in Long Beach and he became National Service Manager for Kubota Tractor Company. He was able to experience several business trips to Japan, and would always bring us back fun little gifts. Eventually, he decided to get his construction license when they lived in San Jose,Ca. There he ran 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 where he fought hard for veteran’s rights. He served as president for several years. In 2000 he received the California State Veteran of the Year award. He served in the Military Funeral Honors Guard Program, in 2019 he received the Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award and he helped organize many Veteran Stand Downs. He helped with Lake County Vet Connect and had many road trips to pick up supplies with “his friend in crime”, Rick Rice. He was an advocate for veterans up until the day he left us and some of those men ended up being his very best friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his father, Arden Parker; his mother, Jean Kirby; his step father Marvin Kirby; his younger brother, Albert Parker and his brother in law, Jack Summers. Along with many aunts and uncles that meant the world to him. Family was very important to him and he was always researching his family ancestry.

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 grand daughter, 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 8th, 2023 at 1 pm at The Veterans Circle in Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport. A place our dad helped make happen for our veterans. A reception will immediately follow at TNT restaurant.