Harold Eugene Parker, 74, of Marysville, died Thursday, May 15, 1997, after an extended illness.  Graveside services at Purdy and Walters in Floral Hills.

Parker was born July 18, 1922, in Parkersburg, the son of Harvey and Iva Parker.

He served with the Postal Service. He joined the Navy in 1942 and served in the South Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier Gambler Bay (CVE73) which was sunk by Japanese fire in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He survived 72 hours in the water before being rescued. He received two Presidential citations plus numerous other awards. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

He then worked for Boeing as a welder and 20 years for Alaska Airlines as an A and P mechanic/welder and retired in 1973.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; two sons, Hal Parker and Mark Parker and his wife, Bev, of Marysville; one daughter, Laurey, of Everett; five grandchildren, Jenny and Kayla, Mandy, Brandon and Bridgette; one brother, Jim Parker and his wife, Wanda, of Everett; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)