One life lived, millions of lives touched.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Dr. Weldon Parker accepted the invitation to leave this life on Sept. 14, 2017, at the age of 87.

He passed in his sleep with wife Dee, son John, and daughter-in-law Cheyanne at his side.

After 30 years of teaching in San Jose and vacationing at Clear Lake, Dee and Weldon made Lake County their permanent retirement home in 1982.

Weldon was best known for his love of fishing, boating, square dancing, and unwavering support of natural and cultural resource preservation.

He was active in promoting the purchase of Anderson Marsh State Park, a founding member of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, member of the Lower Lake Methodist Church, Lake County Historical Society and Lake County Land Trust.

He loved gardening and earned ribbons for his vegetables at the county fair. He gave bird-watching boat tours of Anderson Marsh during Heron Days, and taught many locals
how to square dance as a caller here and in Florida.

Weldon was born in Texas to Arthur and Lena Parker in 1930. The family moved to Oklahoma just in time for the big dust storms. In 1937, the family of five children moved to California where they were employed as migrant farm workers.

Weldon attended 11 elementary schools as his family followed the crops up and down the state.

When World War II broke out, Arthur Parker got a job at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard and the family could afford to buy a house in Healdsburg.

In 1944, Weldon met Dolores Ames in Geyserville, by 1946 they were going "steady." He graduated from Healdsburg High with an interest in drama and was accepted for college at San Jose State.

Dee and Weldon were married in Geyserville in 1950 and moved to San Jose where he
completed his college degree and teaching credential.

In the 1950s, they bought a home in Santa Clara where he taught fifth and sixth grade. He started the "Outdoor Explorers" science programs for sixth graders, had a son (John) and daughter (Kathy), then moved to Stockton where he worked for county schools by developing a live animal museum and science curriculum for teachers.

He decided to work on his master’s degree, so the family moved back to San Jose where he taught at San Jose State and attended Stanford University. In 1964, he received his Doctorate in Education from Stanford University. He taught at San Jose State from 1958 to 1982 and retired as a full professor.

In retirement, Weldon and Dee lived across Cache Creek from Anderson Marsh. They bought a trailerable cabin cruiser and spent six years traveling the rivers of the U.S. (Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Allegheny, Monongahela, St. Johns, Suwannee, Apalachicola, Detroit River, Lake Erie, Trent Severn Canal, Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence Seaway, Hudson, Erie Canal, Petaluma River, S.F. Bay and Sacramento Delta).

In 1983, they began spending winters in the Florida Keys, eventually buying a mobile home and boat to enjoy fishing and the warm waters. They loved to travel and trips were made throughout the world with family and friends (Europe, Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Mediterranean, France, Turkey, Egypt, Russia, New Zealand, Asia, China, Panama, South Pacific, Easter Island, Canary Islands and all 50 states).

At the age of 82, Weldon suffered a diabetic coma. When he was revived, much of his long-term and all of his short-term memory was gone.

The next five years were frustrating for Weldon and difficult for Dee as his caregiver. Dee learned about Elder Day Services of Lake County where a dedicated group of people provide a day program for seniors with physical and/or memory loss. While the seniors are enjoying games, lunch, and each other's company, their caregivers get some needed rest and time to do shopping and other chores.

Weldon is survived by wife, Dolores (Dee) Parker; daughter, Kathy Shaney; son, John Parker; daughter-in-law, Cheyanne Parker; son-in-law, Ted Shaney; granddaughter, Amber Parker; and great-grandson, Jade Parker.

Weldon is survived by brothers, Lester Parker, Carlton Parker and Kenneth Parker; and sisters, DeLois Neeley and Mary Clark.

He was preceded by brother Orville Parker.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Weldon's life to take place on Nov. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the barn at the Ely Stage Stop and County Museum, 9921 Soda Bay Road, off Highway 29 just north of Kit’s Corner.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Weldon's honor to Elder Day Services of Lake County, P.O. Box 333 Lower Lake, CA 95457, http://www.elderdayservicesoflakecountyca.org/.