Mark Ansel Parker, age 55, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 from complications of leukemia.
He was born to parents Dick and Rosie Parker on July 1, 1964 and was a resident of Azusa, Calif.
He was a man who loved bowling plus putting together and operating model rockets. Remote control cars clubs were a passion; he was a Life Scout with the Boy Scouts only one badge short of making Eagle Scout. He also played little league baseball as a child.
Mark took many trips, visiting all 50 states in the United States, three provinces in Canada and several locations in Mexico. He belonged to several camping clubs and would go camping two or more weekends every month throughout the year. His first camping trip was when he was only a month old at Lake Cachuma in a tent.
His first time in a bowling center was at one week old at El Monte Rec on Garvey. He would become quite the bowler, stepping foot into the following centers quite often: Azusa Bowl, Columbia Bowl, Covina Lanes, Bowlium and West Covina Lanes. This avid bowler began throwing a ball as soon as he could, and joined his first league at seven years old, bowling in the junior program until he aged out at 22.
Parker helped form the San Gabriel Valley Youth Travel League and served as vice president for several years. He held various league officer positions.
His career accomplishments were ten 300’s, two 299’s and six eleven in a rows, earning him rings from ABC and USBC. His high series was an 802, high league average was 226, high tournament average was 220. He won numerous awards from tournaments and leagues (75+ 700’s). He was a member of the USBC, AJBC and ABC.
As his mother Rosie rose through the ranks to become the California State President, Mark was always on the scene providing transportation, scorekeeping, muscle, or a simple “go get’em, Mom!”
His Celebration of Life is tentatively scheduled for Saturday April 4th. For additional information call Rosie at (626) 482-0624 or Melissa at (626) 629-6173.
This story was originally published in the March 5, 2020 issue of The California Bowling News.
