Christopher Michael Parker was born in Seattle to Omar S. Parker, Jr. and Susan J. Parker on September 10, 1972. He grew up on Mercer Island where he attended West Mercer, Mercer Crest and Island Park Grade Schools, Islander Middle School and then graduated from Mercer Island High School in 1991. His youth was filled with sports including playing youth basketball. Many of his teammates were his closest, lifetime friends. A good athlete and fleet of foot, he also participated in Outdoor Fitness class, played football and golf and was a member of the Cub Scouts. As a boy, he loved to draw and spoke of someday becoming an architect. He was creative in games with siblings and friends where costumes and outdoor adventures were sure to play a major role. He played high school basketball at Mercer Island and was a four year letterman on the high school golf team.

After a successful high school career, Chris was accepted to the University of Washington and was recruited to be a member of the prestigious and popular Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Always an avid Husky Football fan, diligent in the classroom and often working part-time or full-time jobs, he still made time to strengthen relationships with his childhood friends, new college buddies and family. He flourished at UW graduating in Accounting in 1995 and went to work for a prestigious Seattle accounting firm. Later, he became a great success in the wireless industry, however he remained humble, frugal, and never extravagant; always responsible.

Chris lived in lower Queen Anne where he enjoyed looking out upon Lake Union most of his adult life. He always exercised and was in tremendous physical shape. A member of Rainier Golf Club, he enjoyed golf with members and extended his privileges to friends and extended family, none more than to his brother Omar. Chris hosted many Easter and Christmas celebrations for his entire family at Rainier Golf Club. With a deep sense of family and tradition, he traveled to Grays Harbor most summers visiting with family and playing golf with his brother, uncles and cousins in various annual tournaments. Chris was extremely competitive and enjoyed winning multiple tournaments. He also traveled with those closest to him to Mason Lake and enjoyed boat rides, beach fires and nights around the grill or the card table. He continued to visit Mason Lake every summer becoming one of the primary caretakers of the property.

Chris managed to accomplish so much and did this in a short time before passing away far too soon. He did all of these tremendous things and built such loving relationships as a son, brother, uncle and friend; all while battling Epilepsy likely caused by a tumor in his brain. A terrible disease, Epilepsy is still not even remotely understood. Chris had three brain surgeries, suffered from memory loss and emotional trauma, but continually fought so hard each and every day to overcome all of it. He and his family raised money each year for research by walking together for the cure. Chris also left a significant portion of his estate to the research and eventual cure of this disease so others afflicted would hopefully no longer have to suffer.

Many of those who knew Chris recognized little about his disease or his fight. Chris was independent and self-reliant. Generous in spirit, he was eager to give everything to those around him but largely reluctant to ask for anything in return. In his last days, he was becoming optimistic about his future and never gave up hope of having a clear memory of his past and a bright vision for his future.

Those who knew Chris thought of him as having a sharp sense of humor, an honest laugh and a generous spirit. Many would likely characterize him as the most authentic person they have ever met as he spoke what he believed without negotiation and lived his life without compromise. Those who were so very fortunate to be closest to him saw how beautiful he truly was as well. We were also inspired by his courage to stay so strong while struggling against his disease. As honest and fun, and smart and generous as he was; Christopher Parker was certainly the most courageous and the bravest of us all. God Bless him. We are all better to have been in his presence and he will be sorely missed.

Chris passed away peacefully in his sleep from SUDEP (Sudden, Unexpected Death in Epilepsy). Chris is survived by his Mother (Suzi), brother and his family (Omar, Kendra and Payton), three sisters and their families (Julie, Brad, Caley, Henry and Brody; Melissa, Kelly and Cash; and Amy, Sherry, Jackson and Macy) and was preceded in death by his father, Omar. A memorial service organized by his family will be held at Mercer Island’s Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 9, 2015 at 2pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation Northwest in memory of Chris Parker at www.epilepsynw.org/donate.