Lester D. Parker

Born: July 18, 1926, Died: December 20, 2019

Lester D. Parker was born the 2nd son of Arthur & Lena (Thompson) Parker in Greer County, Oklahoma, on July 18, 1926 and made his journey to heaven on December 20, 2019. As a child he was part of the great migration west from Oklahoma to California, fleeing the Dust Bowl. He proudly served in the US Navy aboard LST #743 during WW II, and saw action in the Pacific from 1943-1945. He met his future wife, Dorothy while training near Chicago, IL and they married on February 19, 1947 and shared 72 years together. He became a carpenter, building several homes on the weekends, in addition to his regular job, in order to improve life for his family. They moved to Wilmette IL, and owned a gift shop they called “Seven Seas”, before pulling up stakes and heading west to California. Together with Dorothy he designed and built a family home in Woodland Hills, where they continued to live for 57 years. He became a very successful Salesman and then a Sales Executive, retiring as VP of Sales at American Drill Bushing in 1986. He was a man of many creative talents, making lots of useful household items and furniture on his trusty Shopsmith that continue to adorn the homes of his children and friends. He was most proud of his family and is survived by 3 sons Randy (Ruth) Parker, Scott Parker, Clint (Alicia) Parker and one daughter Leslie (Gary) Hall. He most enjoyed the fun times with them and their families and was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. His retirement years were filled with lots of cruises with Dorothy and writing 2 books based on his Navy service and his family ancestry and the Dust Bowl days he lived through. He also enjoyed coaching son Clint during his years in Little League baseball along with coaching high school baseball and football at Saugus High School, including one year with son Randy. He also found time to umpire high school baseball games and write poetry. Always an avid fisherman, he treasured a fishing trip to Alaska, with all three sons joining him. He was truly appreciative of the long life and family he was blessed with. To the end he maintained his sense of humor and was appreciated as a cantankerous, but extremely loveable man who shared his many gifts throughout his lifetime. He will be truly missed by his family and friends, who will cherish his memory.