John Ira Parker Jr.

John Parker, 75, passed away on May 18, 2018 at the Utah Valley Specialty Hospital, in Provo, Utah, from a long battle with cancer. John was born to John Ira Parker, Sr. and Josephine Madeline Brenn in Seattle, Washington on Jan. 29, 1943. He had three brothers, Van, Craig, and Mark.
John grew up in Kennewick, Wash. attending public schools and graduating from Kennewick High School, the class of 1961. He left for basic training in the United States Army June 1961, just out of high school, and was stationed at Ft. Ord. He then finished his training at Ft. Leonard Wood and Ft. Sheridan. He trained as a combat engineer, specializing in explosives. He served in the Army Reserves for eight years. He was honorably discharged just a few weeks before his unit was activated to Vietnam. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Northern Mexico Mission, where he served as a secretary to President Ara O. Call. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Accounting in 1968.
He married Shana Le Christensen in the Idaho Falls Temple and they were married for 52 years. They are the parents of 8 children and 27 grandchildren.
In 1973, John moved his family to Huntington, Utah where they lived for ten years. In the mid-70’s, John purchased the Star Theater and Drive-In in Huntington, Utah, a joint venture with his brother Van and brother-in-law David Christensen. He assisted running and managing the theaters for half a decade. In the late 70’s, John also served as Emery County Commissioner for four years.
John was a great man of faith. He served as bishop of LDS wards in Huntington, Utah and Springcreek, Nevada. But one of his favorite callings in the church was scoutmaster. For the last four years, he has served as a Family Search Support Missionary.
John also enjoyed running, especially with friends and family. He ran and completed eight St. George Marathons.
John began working as a teenager at McDonalds. During his university years, his job was as a night janitor. He began his profession as accountant at Utah Power & Light and then Emery Mining, Savage Brothers and Barrick Goldstrike Mine. He then switched careers as a Financial Systems Consultant, working for KBace and Develicore. In this capacity, he had the opportunity to work in several of the united states and four countries – Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, and Switzerland.
John is survived by his wife, Shana Le Parker, and their 8 children, spouses, and families: Michael Parker (Jeanette), Todd Parker (Alli), Chris Parker (Rachele), Nicole Stewart (Matt Stewart), Ben Parker (Kellie), Matt Parker (Kari), John Ira Parker III (Tara), and Lori Moser (Jeremy Moser); and sister-in-law Betty Parker (Van Parker) and her 3 children and their families.
John is preceded in death by his parents, John Ira, Sr. and Josephine Madeline Brenn; his brothers Van Ellis (Betty Parker), Craig and Mark; his granddaughter Angeli Stewart; his nephew, Forrest (Van and Betty) and niece, Celeste (Van and Betty).
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 25 at Suncrest Stake Center, 90 N 600 W, Orem at 11 am. Viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:40 am. Internment will be at Camp Williams.
Many thanks for the loving care John received at Utah Valley Hospital, Orchard Park Rehabilitation Center and Utah Valley Specialty Hospital.
Condolences may be sent to wheelermortuaries.com.