Wallace Lynn ‘Swede’ Parker, 91, a resident of Mount Vernon, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Skagit Valley Hospital.
Swede was born on December 1, 1927 in Laverne, Oklahoma, one of eleven children of Charles & Mina (Blue) Parker. The family moved to Skagit County in the early 1930’s.
In his mid-teens Swede began working for local farmers and sawmills. He eventually joined the Merchant Marines, traveling to the Philippines and numerous other ports until his discharge in January 1946. His next adventure took him to Seattle, working at his brother Les’s gas station, before returning to the Skagit Valley.
In 1950 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Delores Snell in Sedro-Woolley. They spent sixty-nine beautiful years together.
As a 60 plus year member of Local 302 Operating Engineers Union, Swede was an accomplished dozer and heavy equipment operator working to build roads throughout the US and abroad. The jobs he took most pride in were pioneering the North Cross Sate Highway and extensive work on the Alaskan Pipeline. He was well respected for his knowledge and abilities in the road construction industry. Swede was also a home builder, lovingly building and remodeling several of his family homes throughout the years. He enjoyed hunting when time allowed and was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mount Vernon.
Swede is survived by his wife of 69 years, Delores; daughter, Redeana Bell and husband David of Hillsboro, OR; granddaughters, Courtney Loy and husband Andrew and Megan Shaffner; great-grandson, Kyler Huntley; brother, Gaylan Cleve Parker of Blaine and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Pamela Parker; son, Curtis Parker; brothers, Nolan, Cliff, Lester, Jim and Hap Parker and sisters, Rena Aldridge, Joan Huston, Elizabeth Meinette and Clella Wilson
Funeral Services will be held at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. with Don Sickelsteel officiating. Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Reception will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church of Mount Vernon. Memorials in honor of Swede are suggested to Habitat for Humanity. Following the service, beginning at noon, a reception will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church 1515 E. Collage way Mount Vernon. Share memories of Swede and sign the online guest register.
My thoughts are with my Aunt Dode, Renee and her daughters, Kourtney and Meagan; and all of the family today. ‘Swede’ was one of the most kind, talented, THE most hardworking man, I have ever known. When a person is 91, and you think they have gone, “too soon”, you know they have lived a good life, and been well loved! He will be very missed! ❤️
Dear Aunt Dode, Redeana, Kourtney, Megan and Kyler. I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Swede was one of the most loving, hardworking and smartest man I’ve ever known. After meeting Uncle Swede for the first time, Christian commented on how amazing and interesting he was. He always looked forward to our trips to WA for a visit, however brief they might have been. I can remember going up past ThunderArm as a kid with the family to see his work on the North Cross. He was devoted to you all and even in his later years, was always doing something productive. RIP, Uncle Swede. You were an example to us all.