Ricky Lee Parker
April 26, 1957 - January 23, 2012

Ricky Parker was born in Red Oaks, Iowa on April 26, 1957 to Daniel and Shirley Parker. He was the oldest of five, 2 brothers and 2 sisters and named after the hot new star Ricky Nelson. He attended elementary school in nearby Council Bluffs and in 1966 they moved to Davenport where he attended Junior High through 10th grade. Ricky was regularly on the honor roll and very active in the drama club. The family moved again in his junior year to New Berlin, Wisconsin and then again for his senior to Indianapolis, Indiana where he graduated. It was extremely hot on the day of graduation and some of his fellow students fainted.

In 1975, his family moved to Washington but Ricky stayed in Indianapolis where he entered the Navy and several years later he moved to Washington where he lived in Kirkland, ironically just a few doors down from the house where his family now lives.

In 1982, his dad passed away shortly after his 25th wedding anniversary. His mother eventually returned to Iowa and remarried.

Ricky first met Janice at the Vineyard Church in Lynnwood where they each ended up at a 'Dinner for Eight' event - designed to help church members get to know one another. They always suspected it was somebody's idea of a set-up, but to this day, no one really knows exactly what happened. But God does.

Ricky asked Janice out, but she informed him that she did not date. Janice joined the street ministry, only to find out that Ricky had joined it too. Ricky did not give up and as they ministered together among the homeless, they gradually fell into a natural relationship and ended up dating. In about four months, Ricky said to Janice one night at dinner: "Let's look at the calendar. If my birthday is on a Saturday, let's get married on my birthday." They looked at the calendar, and can you imagine? It just 'happened' to be a Saturday!

Janice and Ricky were married on April 26, 1985. They spent their honeymoon in Victoria, BC and while there, they attended the wax museum where they had seen the wax figures of the royal family. In the middle of the tour they were asked to temporarily leave the museum because some dignitaries were coming through. As they walked out, they came face to face with Princess Diana and Prince Charles and were actually able to walk right up and shake their hands. Talk about a memorable honeymoon story!

They immediately began their family with Daniel who was born the following January, followed by Ben, Talitha and Sam. Three of their four children were born at home and Ricky served as Janice's birth coach, catching the babies and cutting the cord.

Ricky loved carpentry and several times, Janice would show him a picture from a magazine and Ricky would make it for her. He loved singing and drama and involved himself in church plays and productions. Ricky was a prolific reader, and loved to watch movies of all kinds. As a matter of fact, on the list "100 movies to see before you die", Ricky had seen all but two!

Ricky had a very compassionate heart. He cared about people who were down and out gave himself fully to help them in whatever way he could using the talents and gifts that God had given him.

Five years into their marriage, Ricky was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. It finally got the better of him on January 23 when he quietly slipped into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He leaves behind his wife Janice and his four children, Daniel, Benjamin, Talitha and Sam.

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