Joel Anthony Parker

Joel Anthony Parker was born on December 17, 1953, in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Gordon and Rita (Gage) Parker.  He was one of 15 children and was always proud of being number 7.  He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Danny, Tom and Andy and his sister Patty.  He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Karen, and his siblings Alyson Mattsen, Tim, Bill, Michael, Bob, Lorrie Gieser, Connie Searles, Paul, John, Jerry and 40 nieces and nephews, 74 great nieces and nephews and 4 great-great nieces and nephews.  Joel loved his large family and was adored by his nieces and nephews, who referred to him as the favorite uncle.

Joel was always a fix-it kind of guy.  His interest in figuring out how things work appeared when he was only eight years old.   He started taking apart toasters, can openers and radios and putting them back together again.  He even reassembled a 3 h.p. vertical engine that he found in pieces in a box.  He mounted it on the merry tiller and got it running again.  He carried his talent to fix things with him into adulthood.    

Sports played a huge role in Joel’s life.  Joel played almost all sports that his elementary, Junior High and Foster High School offered.  He excelled in basketball and track in high school.  He set the discus record as a senior in Foster High School and held that record from 1972 – 2008.  Joel went to college in Central Washington where he played basketball for two seasons.   He obtained his degree in Technology & Industrial Education with an emphasis on woodworking.  Many nieces and nephews are familiar with his saying: Know your woods!  

Joel started his teaching career at Napavine in 1976 where he taught woodworking to high school and junior high students as well as welding and drafting.  While at Napavine he also coached the school’s first junior high football team.  After two years at Napavine he moved to Clover Park High School in Lakewood where he taught woodworking, metal working, building trades, Principles of Technology and low level math.  During his time at Clover Park, he also coached basketball and track.  

In 1993 Joel left the teaching profession.  He attended Bates Technical College to learn auto cad and then he opened his own business – Parker Drafting Service.  He drew plans for remodels, additions, decks, new homes, garages and ADU’s.  He received two awards from the Master Builders Association for his building design.  He successfully worked with engineers, building officials and many contractors and he had an amazing understanding of the building codes.  

In the fall of 1988 Joel started taking flying lessons and obtained his pilot’s license in March 1989.  He was endorsed to fly four different aircraft.  Flying was his favorite thing to do.  He loved the freedom flying provided (no stop signs) as well as the discipline it takes from takeoff to touch down.  He had 753 hours of flying in and always would tell you that he never got enough flying time.  In addition to flying around Washington, he flew in Oregon, Colorado and Wisconsin.  

Joel continued to do woodworking throughout his life as it gave him great joy.  He made two grandfather clocks, Adirondack chairs for a nephew and a Mickey and Minnie Mouse bench for a niece.  Recently he made crazy birdhouses, beautiful cutting boards and a train with engine, coal car and caboose.  

Saving the best for last, Joel met Karen Strombom in the spring of 1985 when he joined Karen’s co-ed softball team.  One of the first things he asked her was if she wanted him to teach her how to throw the softball right.  That line worked. They were married on July 26, 1986 and spent 39 wonderful years together.   Joel did not travel much before they were married, but that changed.  They traveled to 40 countries and while Joel did not particularly enjoy “getting there” he always enjoyed being there.  Their last big trip was a safari in Kenya and they had the most wonderful time.  While Joel left this world way too early, he was loved and experienced a lot of joy and adventure.  He had the best smile and there was always a twinkle in his eyes.  Karen is so grateful to have had him in her life. 

A Mass and Celebration of Life will be held on December 11th at 11:00 am at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Sumner, Washington.  To celebrate Joel’s love for his paradise, the Hawaiian islands, the family asks attendees to wear Hawaiian attire in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be directed to Wounded Warriors Project or St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, S.D., two organizations and causes close to Joel’s heart.

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