Richard Eugene Parker

July 7th, 2023 ret Sgt. Richard Eugene Parker, 69, of Visalia, CA. passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife Lisa by his side after a short battle with cancer. Richard was born in Buckeye, Arizona in 1954 to Melvin and Shirley Parker. He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Melvin and Shirley as well as his sister Diane. Richard and Lisa married in 1990 and for 33 years resided in the Tulare/Visalia area. Raising sons Richard(Rick) (Christine), Scott (Cocagne)(Vanessa), and daughter Cynthia Wood (Shaun). The light of their lives are spending time with family, friends, and their grandchildren- Rick(Jody, Kelsey,Ricky), Scott (Izzy), Cynthia (Ashley, Kaitlyn). Richard was hired as a TCSD in 1977. In 1983 he transferred to the transportation department and became a senior deputy in 1986. In 1993 Richard was awarded Officer of the Year by the Knights of Columbus. In 1995 Richard transferred to Court Services and was promoted to Sergeant in January 1999. Richard was instrumental in helping to set up the mobile screening system, and the mobile command post. On one such occasion as he was assigned the "Com Bus" he had the honor of meeting the President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton. If you weren't aware Richard received letters of interest from his beloved Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders to try out for their teams. A knee injury sidelined his playing career but not coaching. Richard never stopped the love of football. He coached many different levels from Tulare youth Football, Tulare Western, Lemoore, Porterville College, and College of the Sequoias where they took home the Sequoia Pepsi Bowl in 1989. As a linebacker coach, Richard finished up his coaching hobby with the Exeter Monarchs. Coaching his nephew Chris. Richard's love of his life (a close second to his wife Lisa) was fishing and camping. Spending time with family and friends on water is where Rich was most happy. He could fish in heat, cold, storms, and any other condition that was thrown his way. With their travel trailer, Rich and Lisa loved traveling. to Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas and Utah. If you met Richard once you were a friend for life. His infectious smile and endless stories were always a hit at family holidays and gatherings. Fishing Stories were always plentiful and mostly true. We will never meet another soul as genuine as Richard. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday July 22, 2023, 12 noon @ Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E Caldwell Ave. In lieu of flowers Please consider donating to Tulare Youth Athletic Association or Animal Services of Tulare County. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Richard Eugene Parker

January 16, 1954 - July 7, 2023