PAUL EDWIN PARKER Jan. 20, 1932 – Sept. 11, 2020
Paul “Eddie” Parker left this earth and was welcomed into heaven Friday Sept. 11, 2020.
The love, laughter, lessons and legacy he leaves with us are unprecedented.
Paul “Eddie” was a Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Friend and Hero.
Eddie relished life from his first breath in Lesterville, Missouri. Growing up in the hills of Missouri, he hit the ground running and never stopped. Eddie lived each of his 88 years on this earth to the fullest. Many times, family and friends heard stories of the adventures and shenanigans of this blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy in bib overalls.
Growing up in several small towns and hollers just south of St. Louis, Eddie faced many challenges. Then, as throughout his life, he only saw obstacles as opportunities. His actions taught us to always look for the good in people.
After graduating high school in Ironton, Missouri, Eddie served four years in the United States Navy, where he learned skills as a flight engineer. He enjoyed his experiences of traveling the world as well as the comradery he found in the Navy. He always saw life as an adventure.
Shortly after completing his service in the Navy, Eddie met his wife, love, and best friend, Mary Jo Moses. They were married May 28, 1955. Eddie and Mary built a lifelong love, friendship and example of what honor and commitment looks like. Throughout their marriage, Eddie and Mary worked as a team. The saying goes, “Behind every strong man is a strong woman.”
Mary was Eddie’s constant support and she remains his greatest fan. In the early years of marriage, Eddie and Mary lived in Missouri. With ever the passion for learning, Eddie attended college in Rolla and Columbia, Missouri. He maintained a constant craving and curiosity for learning new things throughout his life. He was exploring new ideas for construction, geology and mining even up to his last days. He read the Wall Street Journal every morning, always curious, always learning.
Eddie’s curiosity, tenacity and sense of adventure led him through a variety of careers: Managing a boat dock in Bull Shoals, Arkansas as well as building aircrafts for McDonnell Douglas and Boeing in Kansas, Missouri and California. From Boeing, he went to work for the National Labs in Livermore, California. While working for the labs in Livermore, Eddie heard of a place called Los Alamos, New Mexico where they could purchase a lot and build a home interest free. With promises to get Mary halfway back to her native Missouri, they packed up their Buick, small trailer and four kids to go to Los Alamos where Eddie accepted a position at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
While working for the lab, he told of how he sometimes felt restless when he saw crews working outside, building and completing jobs while he worked in a basement. He loved being outdoors and seeing a job completed with pride. With his motivation and proclivity for hard work, Eddie began the process of getting his General Contractor’s license. He started doing construction jobs in the evening, after finishing a day’s work at the lab.
Shortly after this he enthusiastically dove into his vocational passion, forming Paul Parker Construction in 1968. It was here in Los Alamos that Eddie began using his given name, “Paul.” The name “Paul Parker” would become synonymous with the development of the town of Los Alamos. As you drive through Los Alamos, White Rock, and Northern New Mexico, everywhere you look you see places touched by Paul Parker’s hand and heart.
A “hero” is defined as: “a person of distinguished courage and ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities.” This truly describes Paul Parker. Over the years in Los Alamos, Paul responded to every kind of emergency in town from snowstorms, water line breaks, to saving homes from the Cerro Grande Fire and building “FEMAville” for those left homeless after the fire.
Paul’s life demonstrated his deep faith in God in the way he loved others. He was a friend to all. His compassion, generosity, smile, laughter, work ethic and humility are unsurpassed.
Although Paul saw great success in business, he always remained the country boy from Missouri with the big heart.
The depth of our grief over the passing of our husband, Dad, Grandpa, brother, friend and hero can only be matched by our gratitude for having loved and been loved by such an incredible man.
Paul was preceded in death by his father (Morris), mother (Marguerite), brother (Jerry), Sister (Ruth), granddaughter (Sarah) and half brother (Dennis).
He leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years, Mary Jo Moses-Parker. His children: Debbie Holmes (Tim), Brad Parker (Kelly), Lorri McInroy (Dave), Bill Parker (Laura). Ten grandchildren: Casey (Adam), Luke (Lindsey), Jamie (Andrew), Travis, Hanna (Brian), Cody, Jordan, Allie, Morgan and William. Four great granddaughters: Adi, Nora, Evie and Ellie. Brother: Lowell Parker (Betsy), Half siblings: Cathy, Kevin, Terry and Randy as well as numerous relatives and dear friends.
Our thanks go out to this community that Paul loved and that loved him well. Due to COVID-19, services will be scheduled at a later date when hugs can be safely received.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: Riverside Funeral Home of Santa Fe 3232 Cerrillos Road. (505).395.9150