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In Memory

Verlyn Parker

Verlyn Parker, 72, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was surrounded by his loving family as he ended his courageous battle with Myelofibrosis JAK2.

Verlyn was born January 26, 1936, to Laura Nielson Carlson and Charles Nephi Parker in his family home in Ovid, Idaho. He spent his childhood and young adult years in the Bear Lake Valley, attending elementary school in Ovid and then Fielding High School in Paris, Idaho. Verlyn attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and graduated with a degree in geology.

He then moved back to his beloved Bear Lake and began his teaching career at Bear Lake High School. Known as the good-looking and very challenging teacher, Mr. Parker, Verlyn taught all of the sciences for 36 years as well as many years of driver's training. He was an outstanding teacher and well known by many college professors. Verlyn continued to be a lifelong learner and educator.

On August 31, 1956, Verlyn married Mary Ann West. This union was blessed with three children, Jolyn, Dana Rae and Brett. Verlyn and Mary Ann were later divorced. In 1983, Verlyn married Cassandra Harward. Cassandra added three daughters into this union, Kimberlee, Nicholle and Elisa. Cassandra and Verlyn were sealed in the Logan, Utah Temple December 15, 2005.

Verlyn was a lifelong member of the LDS Church. He served faithfully in many capacities.

Verlyn excelled in sports. He played football, basketball, and was outstanding in fastpitch softball. [I remember watching him pitch a softball game at Overland Park. I believe he pitched a perfect game, all strikeouts. ed note] He also loved archery, hunting and fishing. He was a master carpenter and mason, and loved to garden, and also loved photography. He spent many summers as a lumberjack. He had a great love of animals, and there were many family pets.

Verlyn served as a member of the Idaho Community Foundation and also was a board member of the Oregon Trail Center. The Oregon Trail Center was a great love of his. Verlyn was an outstanding Dutch-oven cook and served in great capacity during the Bear Lake Rendezvous. He catered many Dutch-oven dinners and family reunions.

Verlyn is survived by his wife,Cassandra,of Montpelier, Idaho; and his children, Dana Rae (Brett) Jacobsen, Brett (Chris) Parker, and Elisa Parker of Montpelier, Idaho, Jolyn (Gregg) Knutti of Paris, Idaho, Nicholle (Brent) King of Weston, Idaho, and Kimberlee (Rich) Williams of Grand Junction, Colo. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepmother, Helen Parker, and one brother, DeRay Parker.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2008, in the Montpelier LDS Stake Center. Friends may call prior to the services from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the Montpelier LDS Stake Center. There will be a visitation on Friday, April 11, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Matthews Mortuary in Montpelier, Idaho. Interment will be in the Ovid Cemetery in Ovid, Idaho.

Verlyn's passion for life was personified by everything he did!