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Dewey F. Parker Jr, 89

Dewey Fay Parker, Jr., 89, of Athol, passed away Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. He was born Feb. 23, 1930, in Silsbee, Texas, to Dewey and Arleva (Luman) Parker. He grew up in Kirbyville, Texas, and graduated from Bleakwood High School in 1949.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1949, where he served for 26 years, retiring in 1975 as a master sergeant. Dewey was a radio operator aboard various aircraft and ended his Air Force career as an avionics navigation systems superintendent. Dewey served during the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts and in many places, including Japan, Taiwan, Greece and Germany.

Dewey was married to Doris Elaine Piersall on Aug. 1, 1953, in Portland, Ore. They were married by Doris’s oldest brother, Wayne Piersall; theirs was his first wedding ceremony performed. Dewey and Doris have three children. After he retired from the Air Force, they moved to the Coeur d’Alene area, where he worked at Kootenai Medical Center in the purchasing department.

Throughout his life, Dewey appreciated a wide range of musical styles, although country-western and gospel were always his favorites. He played guitar and you could hear him singing a quick refrain or whistling as he puttered about. He was an avid fisherman and loved to hunt deer and elk. He also enjoyed tinkering with electronics and collecting western books and clocks. At noon and midnight, it could take five minutes for the house to stop chiming.

Dewey was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Henry Jackson and William Howard. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris, of Greenleaf, Idaho, now residing in Athol. He is also survived by their daughter, Patricia (Mark) Pearson, Ph.D., of Carlyle, Ill.; and sons David (Karen) Parker, Col, UASF (Ret) of Clancy, Mont. and James (Carrie) Parker, PNW regional engineering tech, of Tacoma, Wash.; grandchildren Carolyn, Amanda, Nathan, Kristin, Aubrey and Renae; and great-grandchildren Haley, Spencer, Nolan, Emmett, Robert, Katie and Everly.

A viewing, followed by a memorial service, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at Yates Funeral Home, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be sent to the Lung Cancer Society or Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Please visit Dewey’s online registry at www.yatesfuleralhomes.com