Obituary of Judge L. Thomas Parker

Judge L. Thomas Parker, Jr. June 21, 1931 to May 21, 2009 Tom passed away May 21, 2009, after a three year battle with cancer. Tom was born in Olympia, Washington to Lester T. Parker and Adrienne Parker. In 1933, the family moved to Aberdeen, Washington and Tom remained a lifelong resident of Aberdeen, except while attending college and law school, and during the time he served in the Air Force. Tom graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1949. He then went on to the University of Washington where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and enrolled in Law School, graduating in 1955. From 1955 to 1957, Tom served in the Judge Advocate General Corp of the Air Force and was based at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. Upon his discharge from the Air Force in the summer of 1957, Tom returned to Aberdeen and practiced law with his father for the next 13 years. In 1966, Tom married his wife Margaret, who survives him. They had three children Jeff, Monica and Megan. In 1970 Tom was elected as a Judge of the Grays Harbor County District Court, taking office in January 1971. Tom served as a judge from 1971 until his retirement in the summer of 1996. At the time of his retirement he was one of the longest sitting judges in the State of Washington. After stepping down from the bench, Tom and his wife Margaret maintained an active social life and enjoyed frequently visiting their children and grandchildren. Tom also enjoyed spending time at Hood Canal. In addition to Margaret, Tom is survived by his son Jeff and wife Holly of Seattle and their children, Austin and Lauren; daughter Monica Zepeda and husband Matt of Olympia and their children Paul, Clare and Molly; and daughter Megan Burrow and husband Bill of Boston, MA and their children Caroline, Parker and Carter. He is also survived by his nephew and godson Mark Dedomenico, nieces Mary Jo Dedomenico, Cathy Bachmann and Veda Jo Jenkins and sister-in-law Bonnie LaBrec. Tom was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Aberdeen, served on the St. Mary's School Board and St. Mary's Church Financial Board, the Knights of Columbus, Rotary, Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity at the University of Washington, Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity at the University of Washington Law School and was a 50 year member of the Washington State Bar Association. During his younger years, Tom was very involved in the National Soapbox Derby organization and throughout his life he was an avid Washington Husky football fan, regularly attending home games. He was a charter member of Touchdowners which he enjoyed and also a passionate genealogy researcher. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Joan King. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on June 5th, 2009 at 1:00 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 306 E 3rd St Aberdeen, WA 98520. It will be preceded by a Rosary at 12:30. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to St. Mary School or a charity of choice.