Obituary of Ted Parker

Ted was born on June 6, 1932 in Lac La Biche, Alberta. He went to Whitecourt, Alberta for school. In his early teens he was driving CAT for his dad, road building and logging. After that he worked his way north to Dawson Creek, B.C. where he met Mavis McTavish, there they dated and soon married in 1953. After that Ted and Mavis worked around Northern Alberta. In 1956 they moved to Chetwynd for a time, then back to Dawson Creek for a while. In 1970, Ted and Mavis moved to Mackenzie where he worked and was logging manager for Peace Navigations, logging around Williston Lake and the Raspberry harbour area. When that job was done Ted and family moved back to Chetwynd where Ted managed Evans Transport and H.A. Hanson Trucking; moving equipment to the building of Tumbler Ridge mines. In 1979 Ted and Mavis moved back to Mackenzie, but this time with all his own equipment; gravel trucks, loaders, graders, cats, etc…working for BCFP Wooldands, where they still reside today. Ted and Mavis had 6 kids; Marilyn, Monty, Jack, Kelly, Blaine and Richard. They have eighteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Ted could always tell you a story and no matter how far fetched it was he could make you believe it. Mavis and the kids were always incorporated in the stories, they were so important to him. As we all know Ted and Mavis were always very close and Ted's love and respect for Mavis was a measure we could all use. Our staff and everyone in the industrial site used to enjoy seeing Ted come in for parts or fuel, or just a cup of coffee and a quick hello. Because we all knew he had a funny story and upbeat attitude that made everyone smile, and that happened right up until twenty hours before Ted had to make this trip. I guess you could say Ted was a mentor to a lot of us in the trucking industry and a lot about life in general. Ted, wherever you are today we know you are enjoying your company. We are going to miss you old buddy. Ted is survived by his loving wife Mavis, Daughter Marilyn (Rick) Wheeler, Sons, Monty, Jack (Shawna), Kelly (Bonnie), Blaine (Kim), Richard (Shonna), 18 Grandchildren, 1 Great Grandchild, Brother Lenard (Iris) Bolton, Brother-in-law Wilf Johnson. He was predeceased by his Mother Lillian Bolton, Father Albert Edward Parker (Bert), Step Father Ed Bolton, Sisters, Norma Mckenzie and Irene Johnson. Eulogy Presented By: Merv Abdai A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 2:00 pm at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Mackenzie, B.C. Pastor Andy Barnes officiated. Interment will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Memory of Ted to the Care and Share Foundation, Box 1978 Mackenzie, B.C. V0J 2C0. Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium.