GRANT HARVEY PARKER

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — We regret to announce the passing of Grant Harvey Parker, who died in Riverside, Calif., on March 26, 2024, at the age of 94.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mrs. Kathleen Anne Parker; son Matthew, daughter-in-law Anjana, grandsons Joshua and David; daughter Janice; and daughter Rana and son-in-law, Benjamin Uong. He is predeceased by his mother, Florence Siple Parker; father, Grant Leach Parker; and cousin Marie Bradley.

Grant Harvey Parker was born on Feb. 8, 1930. in Bristol, Vt. He moved to New Haven at a young age and grew up alongside his cousin Marie on the family dairy farm. As a child, Grant was active in 4-H, showing award-winning Jersey cows. He attended all 12 years of primary and secondary school at Beeman Academy in New Haven, Vt. As a young adult, he traveled several times on his own to California, while continuing to work the farm in Vermont and a variety of jobs, including Simmonds Precision Products, where he inspected parts for the Apollo mission.

On April 23, 1966, he married Kathleen Anne Palmer, also of New Haven, Vt. They met at the local A&W and married in Bristol at St. Ambrose Catholic Church several years later. They welcomed three children, Matthew, Janice, and Rana over the next several years.

Grant took his young family to live for several winters in California before moving there permanently in 1981. In California, he worked a variety of jobs, including Santa Anita Racetrack; he also attained his real estate license, and worked as a real estate property inspector.

Grant was an avid golfer, competing in amateur tournaments, and even turning pro for a short period of time. He won the Middlebury College Club Championship in 1964, and the Manchester Cup in 1960. He also loved architecture and design, especially historical buildings such as Statehouses. He was a talented woodworker, designing and making bookcases, dressers and more. He was a lifelong learner who had a variety of interests and talents, from classical music and gardening to financial markets and history.

A funeral service was held on Monday, April 8, at Sacred Heart Church in Jurupa Valley, Calif., and he was buried at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Riverside, Calif.◊