Philip Luther Parkins

Philip Luther Parkins, 91 of Medford, Oregon passed away Thursday June 29, 2017 at a local foster care home. Philip was born in Santa Rosa, California on March 12, 1926 to Samuel Luther Parkins and Jessie Ellen DeGear Parkins. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged on May 29, 1946 as Seaman First Class. When he returned to the States, he worked as a cook at a local Boys Home in Santa Rosa, Cal. One day, during church, he met Rose Verniece Vroman. After dating for a while, they married on October 3, 1953 and settled down in Oakland, California. Soon their girls, Deborah and Donna were born there. In 1964, Philip decided to move his family to Medford, Oregon near Verniece’s parents; their son Brian was born in Medford in 1970. Philip had a career working for Safeway Stores throughout the Bay area and later in Medford, OR. where he retired after working for 29 years. He was good at woodworking and he and his son in law, Steve, built the home that they still live in. He enjoyed his yard and garden, growing many wonderful fruits, vegetables & flowers. Philip’s passion for woodworking continued as a job later in life where he made all kinds of furniture including children’s tables and chairs. He had quite a market in Northern California and Oregon. He could hardly keep up with the orders coming in as he would do all the advertising, then make the product and deliver it. When that became too much to do, he retired from the commercial woodworking and continued enjoying his garden. He is survived by his wife Verniece of 64 years; his daughters, Debbie and her husband Steve Wolf; Donna and her husband Ronald James Christie Sr.; and his son Brian Parkins; 4 grandchildren, Ronald James Christie, II and his wife Asako; Erik Christie and his wife Emily; Joshua Wolf and his wife Heidi and Jeremy Wolf and his wife Leann; his 8 great-grandchildren, Leo Christie, Benjamin, Liam, Donnelly & Maryalice Christie, and CharLee, Lucas and June Ann Wolf. Also surviving is his sister Jessie Ellen Dutcher along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings.