Posted: Jan 5, 2004  11:11

Memorial services were held at the St. Maries Elks Lodge for Donald H. Parker, 78, St. Maries, who died January 5, 2004.

Don was born in Lexington, Oregon, January 27, 1925, to John and Cora Parker. He grew up in Oregon and Washington, and enlisted in the Army in 1943, and married Rosa Aslin in Camas, Washington, just before he shipped overseas.

He served in North Africa and Italy, earning two Purple Hearts.

After leaving the Army in 1945, he moved to Garabaldi, Oregon, where he helped build a plywood mill and worked there after its completion. In 1953, he worked on another mill in Grants Pass, Oregon, and he moved to St. Maries in 1964 to help re-build the St. Maries Plywood Mill, which had been razed in a fire in 1962. He worked at the mill, later bought by Potlatch, until retiring in 1987.

Don enjoyed woodworking, growing roses and boating. He was active in the St. Maries High School Booster Club and was a member and past Exalted Ruler of the St. Maries Elks Club.

He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the St. Maries Eagles and the American Legion. He was a member of the St. Joe River Boat Club and the Paul Bunyan Days Committee, and was a former member of the St. Maries Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife; son Rod Parker, Bakersfield, California; daughter Linda Parker Hasz, Blaine, Washington; sister Grace Jackson, Moosehaven, Florida; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.