Rufus Parker
Rufus W. Parker, 95, died Oct. 7, 2009 , in Goldendale.
He was born July 23, 1914 , in Leavenworth . During his life, he resided in Tacoma and Gig Harbor , and spent part of his time farming in Goldendale.
He was married to Glenda Crumbaker until her death in 1974, and Helen Gordon until her death in 2007.
Rufus graduated from Washington State University and was proud to be a Cougar. He was a member of the Tacoma Yacht Club for 60 years and loved boating throughout Canadian and Alaskan waters. If he wasn’t boating, he was flying his plane and loved the freedom of flight.
Rufus was best known for his positive nature and willingness to help everyone, and always sang and whistled as he worked.
His hobbies included reading, hunting, fishing, horse parades, ham radios, and traveling throughout the world. He loved everything about trucks and founded Parker Refrigerated Service.
He is survived by his sister Jean McKeon; children Kenneth Parker and Gerald Parker; stepchildren John and Kathy Alvord, Bill Alvord, Mike Alvord, Virginia and Al McBride; 11 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Rufus will be held Oct. 18 at the Tacoma Yacht Club, at 2 p.m. Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel in Goldendale handled cremation arrangements.
