George Albert Parker

George Albert Parker of Temecula, CA., beloved husband, cherished father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on September 14, 2014. He was born on October 12, 1922 in Duluth, Minnesota where he grew up until he enlisted in the United States Navy. Like many other kids growing up in Minnesota he had a passion for hockey, which he played and coached into his early 70's.

One of the few remaining from the Greatest Generation, like many others during this time joined the military. On November 19, 1942, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the United States Navy and qualified for the Air Cadet Program. Three years later, on April 20, 1945 he married the love of his life Alice in Jacksonville, Florida. This was the start of his 31 years of service to this nation and in the United States Navy, first as a Signal Officer then as a Naval Aviator. During this time he had flown 22 different aircraft from props to jets, accumulated 5,750 hours of flight time and 575 carrier landings over his career. 100 of these were night landings. He served on 19 different ships and having visited 22 different foreign ports.

Working up through the ranks from Ensign in 1944 to the rank Captain in 1966, his final years were spent as Executive Officer (XO) at Miramar Naval Station and finishing with his final command as Commanding Officer (CO) at NAF El Centro, the winter home of the famed Blue Angels. In 1974, he retired from the Navy and he and Alice stayed in El Centro where he continued to work as the City Manager for El Centro for six years.

In 1981, he retired for good and he and Alice bought a motor home and travelled the country putting on over 100,000 miles visiting family and the grandchildren. While still traveling they settled in San Marcos, CA where they lived until 2011. During his retirement he devoted his time to helping others. This included helping the residents of their community with medical response cards, assisting with the emergency response team, and was president of the Residents Association. The one thing that brought him the most joy was coaching hockey to the local children. In his spare time he would golf, play tennis, take daily walks and was always behind the camera taking pictures of family and friends.

George is survived by his wife, Alice, of 69 years; his son Wayne and wife Bernadette, son Lynn and wife Carmen, and his daughter Sandra and husband Burnett and sister-in-law Madge Parker. George's grandchildren and great grandchildren will forever miss their grandpa.

His family and friends will all remember his funny wit, numerous stories, and quiet and strong integrity. He was a role model to us all!

You are at peace now and once again wearing your wings!