Gerald Arthur Parker

Gerald Arthur Parker, 95, a Sun City West, Arizona resident for more than 35 years, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 1/2 years, Beverly Parker, also of Sun City West and daughter Judy Parker of Alexandria, Virginia. Also surviving are brother Ralph Parker (Janet) of Marcellus, Michigan, several sisters-in-law and generations of nieces and nephews and their families too numerous to count.

Gerald was born July 16, 1922, in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Jonathan and Rhoda Parker. From an early age, he loved the Chicago Cubs, golf and the dream of air flight. He enlisted in the US Army after graduation from high school in 1940. During 5 years of service, Gerald found himself flying in major military operations from Sicily and North Africa to Normandy (D-Day) and Holland near the end of the war. He later recalled that he had flown just about every important Allied military leader and, when he visited the Beaches of Normandy in 2004, he recalled in detail the evening of June 5, 1944, when he carried soldiers to Northern France for Operation Overlord on June 6. After he returned to the US after service overseas, he married his local sweetheart, Beverly on March 25, 1945. Like so many others of his generation he was married wearing his Army uniform. On subsequent anniversaries of note (20th, 25th through 55th and 60th) he posed for pictures in uniform with Beverly in her wedding gown. The framed photos were arrayed in their home for many years.

Many men might have settled down after such a productive first chapter but Gerald had many worlds yet to experience. He became an air traffic controller at Chicago's Midway airport and completed 10 years there before moving to managerial roles. In 1958 he joined the fledgling Federal Aviation Administration in Washington D.C. and was there three years. In 1961, he transferred to Denver, Colorado for one year, back to D.C. in 1962 and again back to Denver in 1965. Gerald moved to Seattle, Washington in 1971 and remained there until retiring from federal service in 1977 at age 55. Along the way, he called many places home, and always kept ties with the family, friends and neighbors from each. He perfected his golf game, known by his friends as powerful on the tee, disciplined on the fairway and consistent on the green.

After retiring from the FAA, Gerald and Beverly inaugurated the third chapters of their lives by calling Sun City West home during the winters and the open road their home during the warmer months, first in an Airstream trailer, then an RV, and later a Beaver motorcoach. From April through October they would travel the country, visiting friends and family along the way, savoring the time with special people and the sights of the country they loved. And, in later years, they celebrated winter with extended stays in Maui each year. Any place they could find relatives, friends or a golf course they could call home.

No matter where Gerald called home, he and Beverly would put out the welcome mat for visitors and would often make new friends as well. As the years continued in Sun City West, he was always open for a golf game, a game of cards, a conversation about the events of the world and a chance to recall his military experience with pride. In recent years, he savored the opportunity to recreate his World War II adventures with trips to the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas, home of Sky King, the same C-47 he flew several times during the war. Gerald was at the controls for some joyous flights on two days during his stay in Texas, October 11-16, 2017.

In life, Gerald shared his warmth and wisdom with many generations of family along with hundreds of friends who all savored any opportunity to spend with him. In death, we remember the kindness of his heart, the optimism of his outlook, and the belief he always held that tomorrow would be a better day.

A private committal service for Gerald will be held Monday, October 30, 2017 at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City. Following the committal service will be a public Celebration of Life at 2:00 P.M. at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 13658 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West, AZ 85375.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gerald's name to Mid America Flight Museum, c/o Scott Glover, 602 Mike Hall Parkway, Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455.