Jacob Jordan Parker

Obituary Jacob Jordan Parker was born 9.December.1923 in the Chicago area of Illinois. He died peacefully on the afternoon of 12.Feb.2009 with family and loving friend Clarice Johnson at his side. He grew up in Illinois with two younger brothers and entered the Marine Corps serving as a drill instructor then served in the South Pacific Theater during WWII. Afterwards, he married Hedy Klein, graduated from Notre Dame University with a masters in criminal justice and went to work for the US Federal Bureau of Prisons as a tower guard and eventually as a warden. His last post as warden was at McNeil Island, Washington. During this first career, he and Hedy nurtured their eight children and as of today, none of them have had to do hard time in the joint. Post this federal service/retirement he served on the Washington Parole Board and taught and administered criminal justice education at Tacoma Community College. Finally retiring in 1993 at the age of 70. He enjoyed membership at the Tacoma Elks Lodge and volunteering at Tacoma Crime Stoppers. Some of the personal attributes admired by his children and friends include his spiritual faith, generosity, perseverance and frugality. He had a devotion to St. Charles Borromeo Parrish that never wavered. His public speaking abilities both entertained and inspired many whether the tone be serious or humorous. He was preceded in death by his beloved spouse Hedy, brother Kenneth, son Kenneth, grandson Sean Michael and is survived by brother James (Dorothy), sister-in-law Louise, children Jordan (Eileen O'Brien), Daniel (Kathleen), Peggy (Dan) Maguire, Kevin (Andrea Wirt), Sue (Tim) Fogerty, Timothy John, Brian and Clarice Johnson whom he dearly loved along with all his wonderful grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The family would like to acknowledge Franke Tobey Jones and Franciscan Hospice for their devoted end-of-life care that preserved his dignity and peaceful passing. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Charles Borromeo Parrish fund. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, 20.Feb.2009, @ 11am @ St. Charles Borromeo, 7112 South 12th St.,Tacoma, WA. 98465.