Obituary - Kenneth P. Parker

Wednesday, December 5, 2001
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Former Southeast Alaska resident Kenneth Paul Parker died Nov. 15, 2001, in Laguna Beach, Calif.

He was born Nov. 4, 1943, in Anaheim, Calif., to Dorothy and Wade Parker. He graduated from high school in California in 1962, and operated a restaurant with his mother in Seldovia in the summers until 1965. After serving in Vietnam from 1965-67, he enrolled in the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He earned a bachelor's degree in zoology and a master's degree in biology from California State University.

In 1972, he was hired by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Anchorage as a fishery biologist. He worked in Bristol Bay as a research project leader from 1975-78, then served as director of commercial fisheries until his retirement from the state in 1990.

Parker later worked as a consultant on fishery issues for the Exxon Valdez Plaintiff's Joint Venture and later the Juneau Charter Boat Owners and Operators Association. He operated a charter boat in Auke Bay for several seasons. He left Alaska in 1995.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Dorothy, and his sister, Sharon Guthrie.

He is survived by his brother Arthur Parker and his wife Iris, Palm Springs, Calif.; brother Gregg Parker and his wife Joann, Savannah, Ga.; brother-in-law Kay Guthrie, Mexico; daughter Jennifer Hancock and her husband Barry, Mayfield, Ky.; sons Loren and Trent Parker, Juneau; two grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.

At Parker's request, no services are planned. His ashes will be returned to the sea in a private gathering.

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