Glynn Duane Parker

Glynn Duane Parker, known simply as ‘Duane’ by many of his old friends, was born in Long Beach, California, to parents Glynn J. Parker and Ellisene Wearne Parker. Glynn passed away June 21st, at the age of 77, doing what he loved most, camping with his wife, Frances Catherine Parker, at a beautiful campsite in Western Montana.

Glynn lived a long and full life that began with a move at an early age to Bakersfield, California where he soon met his childhood and life-long friend, Mark Mebane; the two were inseparable. After high school he enlisted in the US Army at the beginning of the Vietnam War and went on to serve two Tours of Duty in Vietnam as a Construction Surveyor with the 91st Engineer Battalion.

Upon returning to the states after his service Glynn met his wife of 51 ½ years, Frances, thanks to his good friend Alex Bertolucci introducing his sister. Glynn and Frances began a small family, having two sons, Darrin and Christopher, and resided in Bakersfield until the late 90’s. He continued to work as a Land Surveyor and later began his own business, Glynn Parker Land Surveying, with encouragement from his late mentors Larry Cloud and Walt Thompson, and later partnered with Maurice Etchechury to create Cuesta Engineering.

In the late 90’s Glynn and Frances relocated to the Central Coast of California, where he continued to operate his Land Surveying business and continued to enjoy his hobbies of restoring classic cars and taking cross-country trips in his 57 Chevy Nomad, camping along the Coast and in the Sierras, and taking in the cool coastal breeze. While residing at the coast, he was able to enjoy the company of his growing family with grandkids coming over to stay at Grandma (Nonni) and Papa’s on a regular basis.

Glynn was able to spend the last few years of his life on an “Adventure” with his wife when they decided to relocate to North Idaho in February of 2022. In Idaho he continued his love for classic cars and exploration. He and his wife Frances spent much of the past 2 ½ years exploring the Inland Northwest with his final adventure leading him to retrace the steps of his Surveying and Exploring heroes, Lewis & Clark.

Glynn Duane Parker was preceded in death by his parents Glynn and Ellisene, and brother Alan Bradshaw. He is survived by his wife Frances Parker, sons Darrin Parker (Sarah) and Chris Parker (Jenny) and nephew Jeff Bertolucci (Veronica). He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 1 great- grandson, and 1 great-grandson on his way.

Services will be held in Glynn’s honor at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, July 23, 2024, at 9:15 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made in Glynn’s name to a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund of your choice.