Gary Scott Parker

Gary Scott Parker, 49, of Sagle died Friday, June 20, 2008 in Sandpoint. An informal gathering to celebrate Gary’s life will take place 2:00PM Saturday, June 28th in the Gardenia Center, 400 Church Street Sandpoint. Gary was 49 years old at the time of his passing. He was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. Gary loved animals, hiking, kayaking, and gardening. As a teenager, he had a boa constrictor that was 10-15 feet long and took in a pair of rescued desert tortoises that were approaching 100 years old. He studied natural resources conservation in college at Idaho State University, and ran a martial arts studio for a while right around that time. He was a member of the Bonner County Master Gardeners. He worked for approximately 20 years for Idaho State Parks, spending time at Harriman, Farragut, and Round Lake State Parks as a Park Ranger. He spent the last 3 years with the Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District, where he launched the Pend Oreille Lake*A*Syst Program. During that time, he reached 200 shoreline landowners with LAS materials and worked with the City of Sandpoint and Indigo Nursery to install a Best Management Practice demonstration site at Memorial Park Boat Launch. Gary Parker was widely admired in the Sandpoint community. His knowledge and passion will be remembered by many. Gary's efforts to grow and support local food sources, protect Lake Pend Oreille, and facilitate partnerships were fruitful and full of purpose. He will be fondly remembered as the face of "Lake*A*Syst," a shoreline stewardship program on Lake Pend Oreille, as well as a knowledgeable guru at the local Farmer's Market. He expended efforts far and wide to protect the natural resources of our community, of our region, and even of our planet. Gary was a friend, ally, colleague of many, and an excellent man. Always up for a paddle in the kayak, a tour of the garden, a walk in the park, a favor or two, Gary was much loved and will be missed dearly. Next time you are poring over your garden literature, walking through the lush underbrush, contemplating the growth of your organic greens, speculating on the ripeness of your blackberries, smelling a wild rose, strolling the walks of the local market, or trying to spread the good word of conservation, remember Gary. Remember Gary in his kindness and sincerity, in his generosity and consistence, and in peace.