Obituary – Thomas Maxwell Parker, 89

August 17th, 1921 – March 2nd, 2011

THOMAS MAXWELL PARKER, beloved husband of Mrs. Irene Parker, of Lethbridge, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at the age of 89 years. Besides his loving wife he is survived by his children; Jerry (Pat) Parker, of Kamloops, BC, and their children, Brent (Pam Dayken) of Calgary and Taryn of Whitehorse, Yukon; Les (Kay) Parker, of Tsawwassen, BC and their children, Todd of Vancouver, BC, Cynthia (Darwin) of Vancouver, BC, Camille of Tsawwassen, BC, Candis (Mark) Podlasly of Vancouver, BC; Patricia (Ric) Wallace of Lethbridge, and their children, Tyler and Liam of Lethbridge, and as well as 5 great grandchildren He is also survived by sisters Rita McLean of Fort Nelson, BC and Carrie Meeres of Castlegar, BC, brothers Alvin (Kathe) Parker and Frank (Gail) Parker of Fort Nelson, BC., sister-in-law Addie Parker of Westbank, BC, dear friend Frank Dolan of Fort Nelson, BC and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents James and Carrie, brothers Harry, Ben, Jim, and Raymond, sisters Marion Parker, Winnie Callison, and Kay Dolan. Born in Hanna on August 17, 1921 to James and Carrie Parker, he was the 6th of 12 children. Tom went to school in Hanna until he and his brother Ben joined the army at the age of 19-years-old. He was posted overseas from October 1941 to October 1945, 3 years of which were in England, 1 year in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He joined 3rd Division RCOC, 7th Brigade and landed Normandy Beach in July 1941. His medals include 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defense Star, Defense Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. He married Irene Greenslade on August 26, 1946. He worked for CN Rail in Hanna, AB for 3 years. Son Jerry was born in 1947. They moved to Fort Nelson, B.C. in 1949 and he worked with his brothers Ben and Jim with Ordinance Corp., maintaining vehicles on the Alaska Highway. After a few years Tom and Irene bought The Muskwa Esso Service Station where Tom operated the garage and Irene cooked and managed the café. Leslie was born in 1952 at Dawson Creek. A few years later they bought property to build an Esso Service Station which they operated until 1967. In 1964, their daughter Patricia was born in Fort Nelson. He then drove taxi cabs and school bus’s, owned and operated a trailer park, then ended his working life after 17 years with the B.C. Liquor Board. He enjoyed volunteering in his small community, serving on the hospital board, with the Rodeo Association and was a proud Founding and Lifelong member of the Elks Club in Fort Nelson. He was also instrumental in the development of the Poplar Hills Golf Course. Once Irene retired, they moved to Southern B.C. (Oliver, Penticton, then Vernon), where Tom enjoyed many years of golfing and the Okanagan life. In 1998, they moved to Lethbridge to be closer to their daughter Trish and her family. Tom couldn’t resist the call of the North so they moved back to family and long time friends in Fort Nelson one last time in 2001. The snow was excessive that winter which convinced them to return to Lethbridge in 2002, living here ever since. Due to illness he lived the last year of his life being cared for at the St. Therese Villa. Music, family and long time friends were a big part of his life. He loved playing cards, and his specialties were 500 and crib. He loved to hunt and fish, ride horses, and maintain his farm. He also loved to curl, golf and play fastball. He had a strong sense of justice, valued integrity and honesty. He leaves this legacy in his children and grandchildren. A Celebration of Life was held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated for the Senior’s Assisted/Supported Living Facility Building Project, Northern Rockies Senior’s Society, Box 52, Fort Nelson, B.C. V0C 1R0. Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca.

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