Orvel J Parkhurst

The world lost another member of the great generation on February 25, 2012. Orvel Jack Parkhurst was born in Cherry County, Nebraska Sepember 16th , 1924. He was born to Daniel W. Parkhurst and Ella Wrinick Parkhurst, the youngest of 13 children. He spent his early years in Nebraska, married his one and only sweetheart Arlene Parker on September 10th, 1942. They moved to Washington during World War II. Orvel went into the army in Dec. 1943.

He was in the infantry and landed in northern France six days after D day and spent the remainder of the war in France. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat.

After the war he returned to Washington where he found work in the pole yards in Olympia. In 1948 he went to work for the U S Maritime in Olympia. He remained there until the reserve fleet was disbanded in 1972.

Orvel was a loving and faithful husband and a wonderful father. He lost his own father at age 9 so being a good dad was very important to him. He really supported his family in a variety of activities. He loved hunting and fishing and coached baseball for his sons and supported his daughter with her horse interest. He will be greatly missed.

Orvel and Arlene began traveling to Arizona as snowbirds in 1972. After spending several seasons camping on BLM Land, they eventually bought an RV park in Quartzsite, AZ. They rode motorcycles in the desert and enjoyed dancing and swap meets when they were down there. They sold the park and moved back to Washington in 2000. They moved to Rainier in 2001.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Arlene. Three children: Gene Parkhurst (Patsy), Ivan Parkhurst (Rose), Ione Gregory (Ron). Grandchildren Ray Parkhurst (Donn), Natalie Mayfield (Scott), Chad Parkhurst , Shelley Brevick (Daylan), Eddy Eley, and Jeannie Gregory-Bennett (Mark). Great Grandchildren: Leighanne Diaz (Manuel), Joey Parkhurst, Kasey Eley and Karlee Eley, and Rachell and Devin Brevik. Great Great Grandchildren Christopher Parkhurst, Aleicia Parkhurst, Parker Gregory, Cienna Parkhurst and Alexander Parkhurst, Kaiden and Joslyn Hudgens, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers: Gene, Henry, LeRoy, Raymond, Chester, & Teddy Parkhurst. Sisters: Pearl, Edith, Ethel and unnamed twin girls, also grandson Travis Gregory, and several nieces and nephews.