Rodney Steele Parker was born on 11-16-1955 in Scotia, CA to Lynn and Harold Parker. In 1967 the family moved to Forks, WA where he met the love of his life Theresa (Decker) Parker at a young age. They remained high school sweethearts and were married 2 weeks after Theresa graduated high school on June 12th, 1976.
They went on to have two daughters, Shannon Kathleen (Parker) Beaubier and Kristin Ann (Parker) Corner. Rod loved being a father and was a very devoted one. He was a hero in the eyes of both his daughters as well as his granddaughters Addisen Riyann Beaubier, Makena Ann Corner, and Kylin Alayna Corner.
Rodney worked very hard to obtain the job he loved as a millwright, where you could find him working 6-7 days a week, for at times up to 16 hours a day for the previous 13 years before enduring two severe accidents almost exactly one year apart at work which forced him to retire early, first being burned badly and then losing his left arm. Spending time with his wife, children, and especially his grandchildren are what kept him going and from losing his mind once he was no longer able to work.
Rod was always a man of many trades. He was a logger, dump truck driver, road builder, sawyer, and even a packer at one point, along with many other things. He always did whatever was necessary to support his family and he took great pride in that. Rodney was the type of man who was always willing to help anyone. He was always the first person his son-in-laws David and Jason could call for questions regarding how to fix something and could often be found outside helping or teaching them the many tricks of his trades.
Over the years Rod and his wife Theresa had taken in many children to show them the true meaning of family, unconditional love, and to help give them a better chance in life. From that, he gained a bonus daughter Lacie Davis as well as a bonus granddaughter London Davis. They are both eternally grateful to him for the unconditional love and support he gave them and for never treating them any different than his own children, even if that meant giving them a good firm talking to when needed.
Rods hobbies were hunting, fishing, collecting unusual lighters, and spending hours at the beach with his wife collecting rocks and bringing them home to polish.
He is survived by his wife Theresa Parker, daughters Shannon (David) Beaubier, Kristin (Jason) Corner, and the three most important people in his life, his grandchildren Addisen Riyann Beaubier, Makena Ann Corner, and Kylin Alayna Corner. He is also survived by his parents Harold and Lynn Parker, Brother Randy Parker, and sisters Geneva Anderson and Gayle Clarke, along with too many nieces, nephews, and cousins to name, though he loves them all.
A graveside service for family will be held at noon on Saturday, June 17th. Following that there will be a Celebration of Life out at his Brother in Law Jim (Laura) Decker’s property; 77 Lake Pleasant Park Road from 2:00-5:30 p.m., Potluck Style. The family hopes that everyone who knew and loved Rodney will bring their favorite dish, a lawn chair, and come ready with stories to share to celebrate the life of an amazing man who was taken from us all too soon.
