Leon "Ace" Parker

was born on September 20, 1914 in the Bronx, New York. He died on July 5, 2008 peacefully in the comfort of his home on Bainbridge Island, surrounded by his wife of 52 years, Mildred, his younger son, Michael and his new best friend, Racey, the Island's friendliest Golden Retriever. Death was expected as Alzheimer Disease was advancing rapidly.He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City in June, 1932. He was an avid New York Yankee fan since the time of Ruth and Gehrig. However, when he moved to Olympia in 1987 he discovered the mariners with Junior Griffey and A-Rod, and enjoyed the Mariners for the past 21 years.In 1942, at the age of 28, Ace was drafted into the Army of the United States, 77th Division, 205th Infantry and served in the South Pacific, from Hawaii to Japan. During his three years of service he was wounded twice earning him Two Purple Hearts with an Oak Leaf. He said, "Those were easy, all I had to do was stop a bullet." He was proudest of his Bronze Star which was awarded to him for bravery and self-sacrifice while under enemy fire. He made two commemorative trips to Guam to celebrate their 40th and 50th anniversaries of liberation from Japan. He was recently honored in Bremerton for his role in liberating the people of Guam.Leon held a variety of jobs before he became a stock broker in 1953. In 1955, Leon picked Mildred's name off a prospective client list and called hoping to sell her shares in a new mutual fund. She was quite interested in what he was "selling". In fact, she says she "knew right away". Within six months of his first sales call, they were married on December 15, 1955. Mildred did invest some money in the mutual fund Leon was selling, but more importantly she invested her life with him. They proudly announced the birth of their first son, Douglas in April 1957, as "an Extra Dividend." Their other "dividend" Michael declared himself in March, 1959.Leon and Mildred moved to Olympia in 1987. Leon enjoyed volunteering at the Senior Center as a cook, preparing meals and as an ambassador, greeting the visitors. They moved again in 2003, to Bainbridge Island, following the move of their son Michael. For the past five years Leon has enjoyed swimming in our community pool, reading the newspaper at the library and shopping at our grocery stores.Leon was the youngest of five and was preceded in death by his brothers, Barnett, William and Sydney and his sister Ruth.Leon is survived by Mildred S. Parker , his wife of 52 years, his two sons, Douglas S Parker (and his wife Jeannie) of Westchester, New York and Michael R. Parker, MD of Bainbridge Island. Leon is also survived by seven grandchildren, Valerie, Eric, Alex and Max (from Douglas) and Steven, Julie and David (from Michael).Leon was a man who cared deeply for his family and country. As a couple, they enjoyed cruising in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska. He loved to cook complex soups and prepare special hors d'oeuvres. He enjoyed watching baseball and the stock market, especially when the Mariners were winning and his stocks were rising. His remains will be inurned in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.The family feel deeply indebted to Hospice of Kitsap County, the Bainbridge Island Fire Department and Kitsap Transit Access Bus Service.