Michael Joseph Parker

Michael Joseph Parker was born July 19, 1985 in Anaheim, California to Cheryl and Douglas Parker. Michael was the youngest of their three children in a family that would grow in unexpected ways over the years. He followed his brother in pursuing a career in the Air Force and to his friends was often the smartest person in the room (just ask him!).

Mike died at home on April 18th at the age of 36 in Castle Rock, Colorado, of suicide. We share this not to offer too much information but to support anyone reading this who may be suffering in silence. We ask only that you are empathetic with those left behind and compassionate with those you encounter in your lives and think about how Mike lived and not how he left us.

Education was incredibly important to Mike and he did everything possible to ensure he could continue to pursue his dreams. The United States Air Force offered him that opportunity. He achieved his Bachelor of Science degrees in both Physics and Aerospace Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona in 2010. He went on to achieve his Masters of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. His love of education transformed into a commitment to teaching and manifested into a position at the United States Air Force Academy in the Chemistry Department.

Mike began his commitment to the USAF with the ROTC program at Cal State San Bernardino while in college. He was commissioned into the US Air Force and was assigned to the Air Force Institute of Technology. He transferred to Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico where he worked with the ICBM Warheads Lead Project Office as a research nuclear engineer and later became the Lead Nuclear Effects Physicist at the Air Force Nuclear Weapon Center. Among his many awards was the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with Oak Cluster and in May 2020 was promoted to the rank of Major. In July 2020 he enrolled in the Colorado School of Mines toward a PhD and pursuit of a future teaching assignment.

Mike met Kate in Melbourne, Florida in May 2017 and shared their first date at a sushi restaurant – Mike knew what he was in for from day one. From there, Mike and Kate moved toward what would eventually become their family of four, with Kate’s children Aeden and Adelaide. After a stunning proposal at “Sleeping Beauty Castle” in Bavaria, Germany in September 2019, they were married in April 2021 after too many COVID delays and detours.

Mike loved to be outdoors and to travel and his trusty four-legged companion, Ellie, was along for the ride. He enjoyed regular trips to destinations around the world. He was scuba certified, nearly a requirement to keep up in the Bare Family. He shared fond memories of going to the sand dunes in Glamis, California with his aunt and uncle when he was younger. No mountain was too high or ocean too cold to keep Mike away.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Douglas Parker. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn, his stepson, Aeden, and his stepdaughter, Adelaide; his mother Cheryl Keehnel and stepfather, Allen Keehnel; his brother, Dan Parker (Chris); his sister, Stephanie Parker; his stepbrother, Tim Keehnel (Brittany); and his grandmother, Nadine Burns.

Friends and family may call at the Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel, 407 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, Colorado on Tuesday, April 26th at 10:00 a.m. for viewing and 12:00 p.m. for the service. Following, an informal Celebration of Life will be held at the Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Company, 519 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock. Casual dress, especially Hawaiian shirts or floral prints and chucks, are encouraged. A Full Military Honors Burial will take place Wednesday, April 27th at 12:00 p.m. at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to "Stop Soldier Suicide" in Michael's memory.

(Please see the link below)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Parker family.