Tom Parker
1958-2018
Tom was born in Athabasca on November 30, 1958 to Tom and Helen Parker. His family lived in Colinton, Rochester and eventually settled in Perryvale, where he spent most his of youth. Tom always described growing up in Perryvale as the best childhood ever, where he and his brothers Mike and Jay and sister Del would fish and swim in the creek in summer and skate on it in winter. Shannon came several years later and was always thought of as the little sister, who they looked out for.
Tom and Bev started dating in 1978 and married in 1980. They purchased their first home in Athabasca in 1981. This was Tom’s sense of pride until Rochelle came along 2 years later and topped his world. Tom and « daddy’s little girl » were inseparable. He taught her to skate, fish, build things and eventually drive Peppy around the acreage at 11 years old.
In 1997, Tommy (Thomas III) came along and Tom’s life was complete. Tommy became his dad’s shadow and they did many projects together, including building rockets, tree houses and sledding hills. Tom imparted an incredible mechanical knowledge to Tommy that he values every day. As an avid Oilers fan, Tom couldn’t have been happier being a hockey dad.
Tom worked on the oil rigs in the early days and made many good lifelong friends along the away. He later became a journeyman and B pressure welder, built several welding rigs and worked hard and long hours on the pipeline to support his family. He always made work fun by laughing and joking with his work buddies. When being away from home became tiring, Tom made a courageous move and went to NAIT to complete his dream of being a professional meat cutter. His sausage recipes were loved by all who tasted them.
Tom always had a love of cars and anything with a motor, especially Harley’s. He eventually convinced Bev to ride and they spent many summer days enjoying the fresh air of the open road.
Tom had an amazing sense of humour and could carry on a conversation with absolutely anyone, whether it be in a mall waiting for Bev to shop or with his many friends over a beer. Tom was always the life of the party and fun to be around.
Life became harder for Tom and he struggled greatly. While his family and many friends supported him, it became too much for him to bear. May you finally have peace Tom and know that we love you very much. You are forever in our hearts.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the Colinton Community Centre.
Those who wish, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
There’s still time to send flowers to the Celebration of Life at the Colinton Community Centre at 1:00 PM on January 16, 2018.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Thomas George Parker November 30 1958 January 10 2018 (age 59).source
Décès pour la Ville: Athabasca, Province: Alberta
