John Preston Parker's Obituary
John P. Parker, 56, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in his sleep on April 22, 2024 in St. Helens, Oregon.
John was born to Jerry and Mary Parker in Bellflower, California on September 4, 1967. He grew up in Gold Hill, Oregon playing baseball and tennis. He also enjoyed rafting and fishing on the Rogue River, not to mention camping in the family’s tent trailer.
He graduated from Crater High School in Central Point, Oregon in 1986, where he played on the tennis team. John graduated from Southern Oregon State College in Ashland, Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems in 1992.
In 1991, he married Teresa Shearer. They moved to Beaverton, Oregon in 1992 when John got a job in the computer field. In October, 2001 they welcomed daughter Emma into their family. Though this marriage wasn’t permanent, they continued to co-parent and remained friendly.
John went on to marry Michele Hanson in 2009. They lived in Beaverton, Oregon and John continued working in computer programming and building his career.
In 2012 he married Ginger Chalker. John and Ginger gave a safe haven to many foster children over the years. In 2021 John and Ginger bought a house in St. Helens, attaining John’s dream of owning property that had a shop for his woodworking and a large fenced yard for the dogs.
At the time of his death, he worked for Multnomah County as a software engineer.
John is survived by his daughter, Emma Parker, along with many other family members and friends.
John enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, camping, and playing tennis. John enjoyed coaching Emma’s softball team and attending her many tennis matches. John also enjoyed having dogs, cats and drinking diet coke. It was rare that he missed a college football game and even rarer to see him without a hat. He will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to your favorite charity in John’s name. Private services will be held.
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