Laurie Jean Parker

Laurie Jean Lochridge Parker Born Sept. 4, 1951 in Tacoma, Washington to her parents Robert & Ada Lochridge. Passed away Sept. 16, 2012 at her home surrounded by loved ones. Laurie grew up in the Tacoma area and graduated from Franklin Pierce High School. Where she met Ray Parker, they were married in 1969 and had two sons, Paul and Robert Eric (Bobby) who where her pride and joy. Paul married LeeAnn and gave her three grandchildren Leland, Hailey and Ethan. Laurie and Ray lived in the Tacoma area and raised their kids. She attended Bates vocational Tech. and had a very successful upholstery business in the Summit View area for 10 years. After the boys grew up they moved to Amory, Mississippi for Ray’s job. She lived there for 3 years and made many lifetime friends, Dixie & Naveed Alim and Jim & Nicole Bortz. She and Ray then moved to Ozark, Arkansas. She went to work for Cracker Barrel restaurant and worked there for 13 years until retiring in 2011. Paula Oldham, Amie Warren and Angila Anders were her coworkers and became her second family. She and Ray started a cattle ranch that they worked and built up. They sold the ranch, retired and moved back to Tacoma last November to assist her mother and father inlaw and enjoy the company of her family. She bought a home and relocated to Puyallup this year where she loved the town and enjoyed many walks with her sister Jean. Laurie is survived by her husband Ray, son Paul & his wife LeeAnn, Grandkids LeLand, Hailey, Ethan Mother Ada Lochridge, Sisters Susan Dooling of Dillon Montana, Marcia Barnes and her husband Carter of Puyallup, Jean Lochridge of Puyallup. Father Inlaw Albert (Jack) Parker, Brother inlaws, Tom and his wife Judy of Puyallup, Terry and his wife Becky of Yelm, Roger of Ozark, Arkansas, Jeff and his wife Kathy of Puyallup. Many nieces and nephews in the Tacoma & Puyallup area. Laurie will be remembered for her loving, gentle spirit, kind nature and grace she showed her whole life. She loved to travel, entertain, garden and was known for her great cooking. We will miss her laugh and sense of humor and will never forget the amazing person she was. It is rare to meet someone as genuine and good as Laurie was and it was a true honor and privilege to be her husband. –Ray Parker