Aloha to a Dear Friend

Obituary: Dean H. Parker - Past NAA President
by National Auctioneers Association on Monday, August 24, 2009 at 9:17am
Dean H. Parker
April 11th, 1931 - August 20th, 2009

Obituary:
Dean H. Parker, beloved husband, father, and grand-father, passed away
peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on August 20, 2009 due to
heart complications.

Dean was born on April 11, 1931 in Mt. Sterling, UT, to Henry and Sadie
Parker; the third of six children. After living in several towns in
Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, the family settled in the Ogden area
where Dean attended school, graduating from Weber High School in 1949.
It was during his high school years that Dean met the love of his life
and eternal companion, Marilyn Sessions. They were married on April 9,
1953 in the Logan LDS Temple. Dean had many passions throughout his
life, including family, church, auctioneering, horses, and flying. Dean
was the father of seven children with 34 grand-children and 25 great
grand-children (so far), and made it a point to include his family in
his auction business, which is now being operated by his son Lane and
grandson Jared, with great grand-sons already practicing their auction
chants. His family was his pride and joy.

At a young age, Dean decided that he wanted to be an auctioneer and
immediately after graduating from high school enrolled in auction school
in Billings, Montana. Over the span of his career, Dean came to be one
of the most sought after livestock auctioneers and horse experts in
North America, often selling over 300 auctions per year. Tied closely to
his auction business was his love of horses. Over the years, Dean owned
and partnered in some of the most successful horse breeding operations
in the country, owning several world-champion race and show horses. He
was considered by many to be the top expert in Quarter Horse bloodlines.
Due to such a hectic schedule, Dean found it necessary to get his
pilot's license and thoroughly enjoyed flying his own planes. By the
time his health forced him to give up his license and sell his plane, he
had logged over 22,000 hours of pilot time and survived several
nail-biting experiences, including landing a plane in Lake Tahoe.

Dean believed strongly in giving back to the organizations of which he
was a part. He served for several years on the Board of Directors of the
PCQHA and the National Auctioneers Association, eventually being elected
and serving as President of the NAA. In 1994, Dean was inducted into the
National Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame. As part of his commitment
to giving back, Dean ran for, was elected, and served as Cache County
Commissioner in the mid 1980's, and served as the Cache County Fair and
Rodeo Manager for several years.

Dean was devoted to his faith. As a young man he served as a missionary
in Hawaii where he grew to love the people of the islands and remained
very close to many of the people he met there throughout his life.
Shortly after returning from his mission, Dean married Marilyn and,
shortly thereafter, was drafted into the US Army where he served for two
years in Germany as part of the occupation forces along the Iron
Curtain. Though it was a challenging time for them, Dean and Marilyn
made the best of it and came away with many very fond memories, close
friends, and a new appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy in America.
Dean was very grateful for the chance he had to serve his country and
earned several awards and commendations.

Throughout his life, Dean served in several church callings including
Bishop, stake mission president and numerous others. After retiring,
Dean and Marilyn served a Church Education mission in Honolulu, Hawaii
and a Family History mission in Salt Lake City. While in Hawaii, they
were able to work with many of the people, and their families, that Dean
had taught and worked with while a young missionary. In all, Dean served
six missions and enjoyed them all immensely.

Dean is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughter Kina Adams (Jim) of
Yucaipa, CA, son Lane (Susan) of Logan, son Blake (Cheryl) of
Providence, daughter Tonia Prewitt (Larry) of Auburn, CA, daughter
Shellie Pilkington (Ed) of Logan, son Kory (Dawn) of Lehi, UT, son Lance
(Jennifer) of Logan, 34 grand-children, 25 great grand-children, one
brother and two sisters. He is preceded in death by his parents, one
brother and one sister. The family would like to express their sincere
gratitude to the staff of Hospice Services for their kindness and
attentive help.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 12:00 PM in
the Logan Utah Stake, Stake Center Building located at 940 W Three Point
Ave (Approx. 450 S.) Logan, UT. Viewings will be held Tuesday evening
from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Stake Center and again Wednesday morning
from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, prior to the service. Funeral Services will be
under the direction of the Allen-Hall Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the
family requests that donations be made to the IHC Hospice Services, LDS
Perpetual Education Fund, or LDS Temple or Missionary Funds. Condolences
and memories may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net


Memorials:
IHC Hospice, LDS Perpetual Education Fund or the LDS Temple or
Missionary Funds


Cemetery:
Wellsville City Cemetery
400 North 300 East
Wellsville, UT 84339

Visitations:
6:00PM to 8:00PM on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at Logan Stake Center
940 W Three Point Ave (Approx. 450 S.) Logan, UT

10:00AM to 11:30AM on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 at Logan Stake Center
940 W Three Point Ave (Approx. 450 S.) Logan, UT

New Years Card

Joy & Peace New Year's Card

Create modern holiday cards at Shutterfly

View the entire collection of cards.