Jack F. Parker

Jack F. Parker, 84, died at Northwest Hospital in Seattle on July 17, 2006 after a brief illness. He was born August 27, 1921 in Seattle to Fremont and Avis Parker.

Jack was raised in Seattle and graduated from Franklin High School in 1940. Also in 1940 Jack married Betty Jane Burgeson. He worked at Todd Ship Yard for a number of years before joining the Washington State Patrol in 1951. Early on the State Patrol stationed him in Yakima for 17 years of his career. After making sergeant, Jack was transferred to Mount Vernon, where he was placed in charge of the “West Detachment” until he was again transferred to Oak Harbor in 1975, this time to take over the “Whidbey Island Detachment.”

Jack spent a total of 30 years with the Washington State Patrol, retiring in 1981. He stayed on at his home in Coupeville and became harbormaster for the Port of Coupeville from February of 1986 through November of 2001. In 1986 Jack lost his wife of 46 years.

Jack left Coupeville in early 2005 to move closer to his grandchildren who lived in Monroe. He always maintained contact with his friends in law enforcement and would meet up with them whenever he could.

Jack is survived by his son William J. Parker with wife Sue-Ellen of Lake Forest Park and daughter Monte Rae Parker of Oak Harbor. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Jeffrey with wife Karen their children, Kevin, Katrina and Carter, living in Indiana; William Ray and wife Jennifer, with sons Damian and Brandon; and Jennifer Durham with husband Sean and daughter Angelyce. Jack is also survived by a half-sister Betty Jean Roper and her husband Richard of Port Angeles.

At Jack’s request there will be no public service, only a private family graveside inurnment at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.