Home > United States of America > Colorado > Mesa County > Grand Junction > Orchard Mesa Cemetery > Samuel Merlin “Bucky” Parker

Samuel Merlin “Bucky” Parker

View larger map

Birth	:	28 Nov 1917 Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado, USA
Death	:	29 Jan 2012
Burial	:	Orchard Mesa Cemetery, Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.0426500, -108.5664000
Description	:	Samuel Merlin "Bucky" Parker passed away January 29, 2012 in Boulder, CO, where he had lived since June 2009. A descendent of Colorado pioneers, Bucky was born November 28, 1917 in Grand Junction, CO, to Samuel Byron Parker and Maude Belle (nee Carothers) Parker. His father died in an industrial accident in 1922, leaving the family in abject poverty. Bucky spent his childhood and teen years living with relatives and in boarding houses as his mother struggled to make ends meet. Bucky graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1935. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1941.... Read More	Samuel Merlin "Bucky" Parker passed away January 29, 2012 in Boulder, CO, where he had lived since June 2009. A descendent of Colorado pioneers, Bucky was born November 28, 1917 in Grand Junction, CO, to Samuel Byron Parker and Maude Belle (nee Carothers) Parker. His father died in an industrial accident in 1922, leaving the family in abject poverty. Bucky spent his childhood and teen years living with relatives and in boarding houses as his mother struggled to make ends meet. Bucky graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1935. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1941. During Christmas leave in late 1942, Bucky traveled to Fort Collins, CO, where he met local resident, Talma Eula Street, on New Year's Eve. Less than four months later, Talma traveled to Virginia where Bucky was stationed. He won enough money in a craps game on the base for Talma to buy an engagement ring and a new dress, which she wore for their wedding on April 28, 1943, in Farmville, VA. Bucky's division shipped out to Europe six weeks later, and he did not see his wife again for more than two years. When they reunited, Bucky was embarrassed to see that Talma had brown eyes, as he had repeatedly told fellow soldiers about his "red-haired, green-eyed wife" waiting for him back home. Though Talma passed away on January 4, 1997, Bucky wore his wedding ring until the end of his life. As a sergeant in the 157th Infantry Thunderbirds, 2nd Battalion, Company H, Bucky was on the front lines for some of the European Theater's most ferocious fighting. Bucky served in North Africa and subsequently shipped to Italy, where he was among the first soldiers to make amphibious landings during combat at Sicily, Salerno and Anzio. He was awarded numerous awards and citations for his bravery on the battlefield. Bucky endured brutal winter clashes in the Apennine Mountains and bravely fought during the infamous Battle of the Caves at Anzio. After that battle in February 1944, only 177 soldiers and officers of the 2nd Battalion were still alive, out of 751 who had landed at Anzio. On February 23, 1944, Bucky and some 200 other U.S. soldiers were captured by the Nazis at Anzio. Bucky spent the next 16 months in stalags across Germany and Poland. In May 1945, his prison camp in Poland was liberated by the invading Soviet Red Army, enabling Bucky and a handful of other POWs to slip away and make their way to the American lines in western Germany. Bucky returned to Grand Junction and his job at Darnell Optical, where he had worked as an optician before being drafted. He eventually became co-owner and built the company into one of the region's largest wholesale and retail eyeglass outlets. Bucky sold his interest and retired in 1986. A dedicated sports fan, Bucky attended local athletic events, the JUCO baseball tournament and Denver Broncos games. He enjoyed gambling-especially craps and sports wagering-bowling, golfing, traveling and spending time with numerous close friends. Bucky was a 67-year member of Grand Junction Elks Lodge No. 575. In addition to his wife and parents, Bucky was preceded in death by two sisters, Wanda and Norma, as well as two sons who died in childhood, Paul Mark and John Dale. He is survived by two daughters, Sandra Parker (Richard Planert) of Grand Junction, CO., and Tammy Parker of Longmont, CO; as well as two granddaughters, Suzette Bennett-Walker (Brian Walker) and Siobhan Bennett, both of Aurora, CO. A celebration of Bucky's life will be held for family and friends, 1 - 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 4, at Wrigley Field Restaurant & Sports Bar, 1810 North Ave. Published in The Daily Sentinel on February 4, 2012

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Samuel Merlin “Bucky” Parker's memorial?
Samuel Merlin “Bucky” Parker's memorial is located at: Orchard Mesa Cemetery, Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA.
When did Samuel Merlin “Bucky” Parker death?
Samuel Merlin “Bucky” Parker death on 29 Jan 2012 in
Where are the coordinates of the Samuel Merlin “Bucky” Parker's memorial?
Latitude: 39.0426500
Longitude: -108.5664000

Family Members:

Parent

Samuel Byron Parker

(1894 - 1922)

Spouse

Talma E. Parker

(1924 - 1997)

Children

Paul Mark Parker

(1952 - 1952)

John Dale Parker

(1956 - 1959)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Orchard Mesa Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0426500, -108.5664000

2. Masonic Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0442276, -108.5670471

3. IOOF Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0447500, -108.5679500

4. Saint Anthony Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0454000, -108.5660000

5. Veterans Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0444946, -108.5690918

6. Calvary Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0456009, -108.5653000

7. Potters Field
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0413284, -108.5700989

8. Ohr Shalom Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0460000, -108.5665000

9. Fair View Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0465000, -108.5660000

10. Municipal Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0477028, -108.5673676

11. Ross Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0695660, -108.5637030

12. Teller Indian School Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0631400, -108.5316130

13. Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0631447, -108.5261002

14. Memorial Gardens
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0790329, -108.5022278

15. Saint Matthews Episcopal Church Memorial Garden
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1021440, -108.5422860

16. Immaculate Heart of Mary Columbarium
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1195000, -108.5600000

17. Final Paws Pet Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1205000, -108.6240000

18. Little Park Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9863500, -108.6604500

19. Crown Point Cemetery
Grand Junction, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1425018, -108.6175003

20. Whitewater Cemetery
Whitewater, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9818993, -108.4357986

21. Glade Park Cemetery
Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0074997, -108.7382965

22. Palisade Cemetery
Palisade, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0999000, -108.3980000

23. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Fruita, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1721992, -108.7292023

24. Elmwood Cemetery
Fruita, Mesa County, USA
Coordinate: 39.1739006, -108.7339020