On, June 2, 2007, Cecil D. Parker, one of the last if not the last ‘Old Time Logger’ passed away at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, WA.
Cecil was born September 15, 1909 in Cullowhee, North Carolina, the son of Pleasant Talmage and Hix Ashe Parker.
In his young years, Cecil was known to ‘run moonshine’ on occasion. The students in the classroom would hear a mighty roar whiz past the school. Usually a student or two would say ‘There goes Cecil-he’s running again.’
Luckily, Cecil met and married Emma Aikens on October 21, 1930 and on May 5, 1934, they headed to Washington to leave North Carolina and ‘running’ behind. Every May 5th, Cecil would say ‘today is the day in 1934, Emma and I headed out to start our life her in Washington. Not bad for being 97!.
Cecil indeed was a success once he started working here. He worked for a few logging companies that included sawing the ‘old’ way with sweat and tired strained arms. Later, he tried starting his own company-Cecil Parker Logging and was a success in that adventure allowing him to retire in his 50’s. He was ready to relax and take it easy, but his wife had other plans. She retired from raising their garden and he had to take it over. He also was a success at this, as he raised the most beautiful, manicured and bountiful garden around and he was so proud of it. Cecil had been on oxygen the last few months of his life, but he still tried to help Richard-his eldest son plant the garden. We’ll see later in the summer if Richard did it right or not!
Cecil and Emma traveled to their favorite fishing and hunting destinations for many years. They truly lived the ‘Life of Riley.’ Not bad for a young punk from North Carolina who started out ‘running.’
Cecil his survived by his sons; Richard Parker and his wife sheryl and John Parker and his wife Linda all of Sedro-Woolley. 8 grandchildren; Richie Parker and his wife Maureen, Michael Parker, Barbara A. Gibson, Bill Parker, John Gibson and his wife Tammy, Joe Parker, Kelli Cupps and her husband Lee, and Alyssa Parker. 3 step-great-grandchildren; Paula, Tina, and Diana and 5 great-grandchildren; John, Wyatt, Loralie, Aiden, and Alex.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Emma in 1997, his brothers, L.C. Parker and Frank Parker and a sister Anna Lee Ensley.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Leon Meyer of the Calvary Baptist Church of Burlington officiating with interment to follow at the Lyman Cemetery. A potluck reception will follow the services at the Lyman City Hall. Visitation will be available at Lemley Chapel from 9AM to 5PM on Wednesday, June 6th and up to service time on Thursday. Memorials are suggested to your favorite charity. Please sign the online guestbook for Cecil at www.lemleychapel.com