Ralph Parker

Ralph Parker passed away at the age of 79 Feb. 27, 2017, peacefully at his home in Reno, Nev., with daughter Beth Ann at his side.

He was born Dec. 27, 1938, to Alpha O. (Johnson) Parker and William E. Parker Jr. in Gorman, Tenn. Upon graduating high school, Ralph enlisted into the United States Air Force (airman basic) out of Denver, Colo.; ending his honorable service in the 21st Field Maintenance Squad out of Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif.

Ralph held many positions of employment throughout his life such as police officer on the Fort Collins Police Department as well as mechanic and manager of the Phillips 66 gas station on Harmony Road in Fort Collins, Colo. He had several other mechanic positions in Rock Springs. He retired from mechanics at Larry's Car Service in Reno, Nev.

Ralph enjoyed mechanics, fishing, camping, dune bugging, wood working, rock hunting, opal mining and making opal jewelry. He loved his trips to Virgin Valley, Nev., and always tried to make the trip yearly to Arizona to spend time with family and great friends, whom he cherished.

Ralph frequently said "My goal in life ... is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am."

Ralph is survived by sister Rheta Eychner and husband Dan; niece Danera Smith, husband Scott and children DJ, Brett, Shanell; nephew Danny Eychner, wife Annette and children Jason, Chaz, Tabatha, all of Green River. Daughter Elizabeth (Beth Ann) Myers and granddaughter Lara Carabajal, both of Susanville, Calif.

The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers please make a donation to your local humane society or animal shelter in honor of Ralph W. Parker.