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In Memory of
Joshua Michael "Josh"
Parke
Parke
1981 - 2017
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Anderson's Tribute Center
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
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Obituary for Joshua Michael "Josh" Parke
Joshua M. Parke of The Dalles, OR, passed away July 22, 2017 at Hood Canal in Hoodsport, WA. He was born March 02, 1981 and was 36 years of age at the time of his passing. A celebration of Josh’s life will be held at 12 noon Saturday July 29, 2017 at The Dalles Eagles (2006 W 7th Street The Dalles, OR 97058). In lieu of flowers an account has be established for Josh’s children with US Bank (401 Washington Street The Dalles, OR 97058). Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
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Life Story for Joshua Michael "Josh" Parke
Joshua Michael Parke, 36, from The Dalles, Ore., passed away unexpectedly while scuba diving in the Hood Canal.Josh was born in Tacoma, Wash., to Vincent Parke and Shirley (Rohrbaugh) Johnson. From the first moment Josh’s dad held him he didn’t want to let him go. Josh slept his first few days cuddled in his father’s arms.
Josh graduated from Wahtonka High School, in The Dalles in 1999. He played football four years of high school. He joined the Army right out of high school and served two years stationed out of Germany.
He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Melissa Ann Opitz. They were wed in Westminster, Md., in 2000. Together they had three amazing boys, Adrian 15, Lance 13, and Wyatt 8.
Josh and Melissa first settled in Maryland and also made homes in Washington and Oregon before coming
back to The Dalles. Everywhere they went they made lifelong friends.
Josh was a traveler. He spent years traveling across the country with his brother Jeremiah. In recent years, he traveled to Thailand with Melissa to visit her father. Every summer, the family would go to their favorite home away from home in Avon, Minn., called The Lake House. Going on this vacation was something that Josh looked forward to.
He was a hard working family man who never slowed down. He spent a lot of time in “Idahome” with his father, brother, sons and family. He always made sure to provide for his wife and kids.
Josh was a protector who was always there for his family and friends.
Josh’s passions include: Adventure seeking, traveling, riding motorcycles, fishing, hunting, collecting, helping others (recently received Citizen Life Saving Award for performing CPR and saving someone’s life), but most of all spending time with his family and friends. Josh was an ordained minister and performed many marriages for friends and family. He was also nominated for Heavy Equipment Operator of the year at his
place of employment, Waste Management Connections in The Dalles.
Josh was always positive, happy, outgoing, lived larger than life…He was everyone’s own personal counselor.
Josh was the oldest of 4 siblings, Jeremiah, 33, Wesley, 28, Breanne, 20, and stepsisters Janice, 36, and Amanda, 34. He is survived by his wife Melissa; sons Adrian, Lance, and Wyatt; his mom Shirley and dad Vince (Karen); siblings Jeremiah (Erin), Wesley (Lisa), Breanne; grandma Neggie (Jim); grandpa George; grandma Sharen; Aunt Carla; Aunt Patty; Uncle Doug; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, as well as his his two beloved dogs, Neela and Poseidon.
Celebration of life will be held Saturday July 29, 2017, at The Dalles Eagles 2006 W 7th St. The Dalles, at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Josh’s boys. An account has been set up at US Bank 401 Washington St. The Dalles. The account number is 153668699736.
Josh loved hard, played hard, and left us with great memories and laughs that we will always cherish…
