Obituary of George "Brownie" Parker, Sr., 2002; Baker Co., OR
Surnames: Parker, Brown, Ayers, Hayes, Wilson, Hardwck, Foster

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'Brownie' Parker 

George "Brownie" Parker Sr., 83, a resident of the Pine Creek area near
Halfway, died May 3, 2002, at his home. 

His graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Pine Haven Cemetery
in Halfway. 

George Perry Parker was born at Marietta, Okla., on March 31, 1919, to Sally
and James Parker. Their family migrated to Roswell, N.M. around 1930.
"Brownie" moved to Redlands, Calif., in 1933 working as a meat cutter there
until 1936. At this time, he started a career of climbing trees that spanned
seven decades. 

He moved to Bakersfield, Calif. in 1939. He met and married Molly F. Foster
that same year. Together they raised five children. 

In 1963, "Brownie" married Judy Lee Brown and together they raised two
children. His years in Bakersfield were filled with his occupation as a tree
trimmer as well as farming cotton and other crops. 

"Brownie" was a 30-year-plus member of the Kern County Rangers and twice
served as captain of this organization. He loved horses and actively bred and
raised registered quarter horses for more than three decades. 

In 1969, he was the leading breeder of the American Quarter Horse Association
in the Western United States. "Brownie" retired his tree service company in
Kern County in 1977 and moved to Pine Creek where he built his log home, ran
his sawmill and rode ol' Tom (most of the time) until his health would no
longer allow it. 

He will be greatly missed by all who loved him and by so many influenced by
his unmatched work ethic and family ties. 

He leaves behind his wife, Judy Parker; sons, Mike Parker of Dallas, Texas,
Joe Parker of Federal Way, Wash., Jesse Parker of La Grande, and George Parker
of Dallas, Texas; daughters, Sally Ayers of Dallas, Texas, Kathy Hayes of
Dallas, Texas, and Michelle Wilson of Halfway; a brother, Jerry Parker of
Santa Maria, Calif.; 28 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; and numerous
nieces, nephews, and extended family. 

He was preceded in death by brothers, Ed Parker, Ray Parker, Earl Parker; and
his sister Faye Hardwick. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation or
the Crippling Osteoporosis Foundation through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home,
P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.