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The Life of Lyle Gene Parker
September 2, 1938 - July 22, 2017
As many of you know, Lyle had several health issues. After a recent hospital stay, we made the decision to bring him home. We surrounded him with our love until his peaceful passing the morning of July 22, 2017.
Tracing his roots back to the settlers of Yolo County, Lyle was a lifelong resident of Davis born to Mary Mack and Lyle Parker Sr. on September 2, 1938, and as a person of immense integrity, fortitude of character, and patriotism, he had the unique experience of serving his country on the USS Hancock as an Aviation Ordnanceman in the Navy during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and he demonstrated leadership, professional competence, and dedication to excellence during his six years of service and achieved the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.
Displaying a special care and concern for the safety and well-being of his community, Lyle unselfishly devoted his career to the duties of fire prevention and suppression, and after joining the University of California, Davis, Fire Department, he progressed through the ranks from firefighter to Captain before retiring in 1988 after nearly 30 years of public service. Respected and admired by his colleagues, he was known throughout the Department as a moral compass, and he served as a role model for fellow firefighters, exemplifying the values of professionalism, integrity, trust, and commitment.
As a commercial pilot and flight instructor, Lyle was renowned for his superb ability to make good decisions and precise judgments, and he shared his talent and skill flying private charters and working with many agencies, including Cal Aggie Flying Farmers, Ducks Unlimited, the US Geological Society, UC Davis, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lyle and Sandy enjoyed nearly a half century of marriage, and he was immensely proud of his children, Gene and Cari, and grandchildren, Cash and Lauren, to whom he passed on his wry sense of humor, devotion to good deeds, and other values that have enabled them to succeed in our complex society and develop and sustain community spirit.
Lyle never hesitated to help whenever called upon, and because of his MacGyver-like abilities, he was known as the “Go to Guy,” who could fix anything. His family will hold dear to their hearts such memories as his love of Westerns, laughing till in tears while watching slapstick comedies with his favorite being The Pink Panther, his enjoyment of the outdoors and “puttering,” and his favorite candies being orange slices and red licorice. Some of the funny pet peeves he would razz the kids about are Gene’s scruffy goatee, the trendy holes in Cari’s jeans, and wearing hats at the dinner table. Something endearing to Sandy is that he never raised his voice to her except when she had the hiccups, and he would holler, “Stop hiccuping!”.
Remembered as a good man by many throughout the Davis community and beyond, Lyle exhibited all of the most treasured human qualities that are universally recognized as true indicators of a life of fulfillment and meaning exemplified by his calm demeanor, his focus on service, his effective blending of humility, intelligence, and common sense, and his loyalty and commitment to his family and friends, which caused those who knew him to be better for the experience.
Lyle’s family, which includes his wife, Sandy; his children, Gene and his wife Kathleen, and Cari and her husband Barry Johnston; his grandchildren, Cash Johnston and Lauren Parker; his mother-in-law, Sally Maness; and his brother-in-law, Steve Maness and his wife Jane Hawk, take comfort in the knowledge that he is now pal’n around with his good buddies that have passed before him.
Thank you all for being a part of his life,
Sandy, Gene, and Cari
Per Lyle’s wishes there will be no service.
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1938 - 2017 (78 years)
