Steven Parker

Steve was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed adventuring through the back country in his Jeep Wrangler. Friends joined him every year for the annual Mud-in-Yer-Eye event in Hollister, as well as yearly treks through the Rubicon trail. Through the thick mud, snow, rocky trails, and byways, Steve was always the happiest outside.

As a child, Steve grew up in Cupertino, CA when the valley was covered as far as the eye could see in fruit orchards. He also spent a lot of time with family and friends, enjoying camping and being in the outdoors. Steve made a career out of his love for being outside by caring for lush landscapes at both Eastridge Mall in San Jose and Mission College in Santa Clara. Everything he touched flourished under his care.

A daughter, Brandy Dawn is Steve's first child from a previous marriage. Years later, Steve met his sweetheart, Rhonda and their daughter LizaMarie was born in 1978. Steve was a doting father and always always referred to her as his "rare gem." He had a way of making her feel safe and protected all the way until she met her own husband in 2005. Steve doted on his grandsons, Logan and Lucas.

Rhonda and Steve were a couple for 40 years and stayed together in sickness and in health, with sickness casting a shadow on parts of their marriage. As the recipient of a liver transplant in 1996, Steve saw a brief glimpse of good health. Through those years of good life quality, Steve tried to make the most of his second chance by adventuring through life.

As good health faded, Steve was able to achieve one of his final dreams of owning a home on Placerville, the gateway to some of the greatest adventure possibilities in the world. Though he was not able to enjoy it in the fullest capacity, Steve's friends helped him make their home into something he could be proud of in his final days.

After a long battle for health and good quality of life, Steve passed away on June 14, 2016. His wife Rhonda care for him throughout the years and had been his 24/7 nurse for the months after a bad fall. She was holding his hand in the hospital as he took his final breath, with their daughter, LizaMarie, right by his side. He was made comfortable at the very end slipped away peacefully early in the morning.