Obituary of Harris Fredrick Parker

Harry Parker Harris Harry Fredrick Parker died April 11, 2010 in Vancouver, WA; he was 78 years old. Harris was born to Harry Spencer Parker and Annie Palmer Parker in Camas, WA March 25, 1932. He was known for being a good man. Harry graduated from Camas High School and enlisted in the Navy where he served on the USS Fechteler DD/DDR-870 and received the Nation Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and United Nations Medal. He returned from the Navy to complete his Associates Degree at Clark College while working fulltime at the local Crown Zellerbach paper mill. He completed his BA in Business Administration from the University of Washington in 1959. Harry was married to Janet Gowdy in October 1960 in Washougal WA. They were married until 1972 and had two sons, Spencer and David. In March 1974 Harry married JoAn Powell French and happily inherited the rest of his kids; Lori, Doug and Juli French. He raised his family in Washougal WA. He was a school board member, scout leader, and served in many other areas in the community. Harry's career was at a single company with many names, Crown Zellerbach, Waterway Terminals Company, Western Transportation, James River and later Fort James and Georgia –Pacific. He started as a dispatcher and ended his career as the Human Resources Manager retiring in 1989. After being a one-company man he spent his retirement in real estate serving local builders and buyers in the Vancouver and Camas-Washougal areas. Harry and JoAn enjoyed their retired years traveling in their motor home with their dogs and enjoying their grandchildren and great grandchildren at every opportunity. Harry is survived by his wife, JoAn, sons Spencer and David; daughters Lori and Juli; ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by stepson Douglas French. He would have told you after reading Purpose Driven Life, that his was a good life with no regrets where his purpose was fulfilled in seeing his legacy through his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We will be celebrating his life with family and friends at First Evangelical Church 4120 NE St Johns Road, Vancouver, WA 98661 on Saturday April 17th at 1PM. A reception will follow in Vancouver. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation was in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the OHSU Alzheimer's Research Group or the American Heart Association. Please sign the online guest book at www.straubsfuneralhome.com