Obituary of Arlas Oren Parker

Arlas “Artie” Parker passed away on August 29th at the age of 101 in Tucson, Arizona where he had resided with his wife since 2018.

Artie was born on March 29, 1922, to Rita and Fred Parker in Maysville, Oklahoma. He grew up in Newton, Kansas where after graduating high school he worked for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. He enlisted into the Navy serving on the USS Hoggatt Bay from 1944-1946 during combat in the South Pacific. After his service, he settled in Oakland, California where he met his bride-to-be, Helen O’Dean Parker, and was married in 1949. His career included welding instructor, aircraft fabricator, and manufacturing engineer – ending with retirement from Food and Machinery Corporation in San Jose, California. He and Helen raised two daughters in Los Altos California where he joined the Elks Lodge and volunteered at the Congregational Church in Sunnyvale. He and Helen later moved in retirement to Lakeport, California where he served the Elk’s Lodge in a variety of leadership and committee responsibilities.

Artie loved to fish and passed on a love for camping and fishing to both of his daughters and all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid Mr. Fixit and puttered for years in his little shop with always a project in the works. He will be remembered for his love of friendships, his willingness to help others, and his quick wit and joke-telling.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Fred Jr., his wife of 70 years Helen Parker; and his oldest great-grandson Parker Brian Kenner. He is survived by his two daughters Debbie Bornmann (Brent), and Carol Kenner (Bill); Grandchildren Evan Bornmann, Erick Bornmann, and Brian Kenner; Robin Newton (Kenner); Great Grandchildren Kyleigh Evans, Trenton Kenner, Logan Newton, and Warren Newton.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations in his honor to The Lakeport Elks Lodge No. 2704 Scholarship Fund