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Jesse T. Parker

Jesse Tyler Parker, age 17, of Tomah, WI, passed away after a tragic car accident in Albany, GA, on July 4th, 2009. Prior to the accident, he family had spent a wonderful week on the Gulf Coast and were making their way to north Georgia to go white water rafting. His 16-year-old sister Gabrielle was critically injured in the accident, but is slowly recovering at home from these injuries as her big brother, Jesse, is watching over her.

Jesse was born Sept. 18, 1991, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI, to Bradley and Jennifer (Herken) Parker. Jesse was the light of his parents’ life with sparkling blue eyes and the blondest of hair. He was a curious, playful boy with a smile that radiated people’s hearts. Jesse was joined by sister Gabrielle in 1993 and brother Jacob in 1997. Instantly Jesse stepped up to the role of mentor and role model, giving both his adoration, patience and love.

The family moved to a country home in Tomah in 1994 where Jesse loved to play ball, run with his dogs and spend lazy days with his family. All three children attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Tomah where lifelong friendships were established and a sense of community was celebrated with their faith and generous friends. Jesse enjoyed playing basketball, football, soccer and watching the Packers. Jesse developed a love for running which he shared with many close friends on the THS cross country and track team. It gives us comfort that on his last day he started his day with a jog along the beach, which he so enjoyed. Jesse loved music and was a talented drummer. He was active in the THS band, as well as a garage band with his lifelong buddies. One of his favorite activities was to play Guitar Hero and Rock Band with his brother Jacob.

Jesse was an intelligent, respectful young man who was going to be a senior at Tomah High School. He shared his father’s interest in science and his mother’s passion for caring for others. Jesse planned to earn his engineering degree and apply these skills in the Peace Corps to fulfill his heart’s dream...helping others. Jesse had many tangible gifts, but it is his intangible gifts that all who loved him hold on to and are blessed with.

Jesse, with his sister Bria, was planning a mission trip to Peru to work in an orphanage. He cherished his loving and compassionate family and was excited for this opportunity to give back. Jesse was guided by his faith and his insatiable thirst for social justice which he practiced through compassion and tolerance. He never needed the simple answers that made him feel good about who he was, he needed the answers that would make him know what to do to help others. Jesse volunteered on political campaigns before he could even vote because he believed in a world that cared and respected all people. He had the rare spirit and wisdom that could change the world, with the strength not to let the world change him.

Those who remember Jesse recall his ability to make people feel special, his easy smile, his wisdom, his kind heart, his silly pranks, and his steadfast protection of the underdog. Jesse was blessed to have created so many memories in his short life especially with his extended family whether through family travels, various Packer games, boating or just hanging out at home with the ones he adored...his family and friends.

Jesse leaves us with a legacy of compassion and love for life. He was pure goodness and he lent some of that goodness to everyone he met. Jesse had great optimism about life, the future and about people, which we all cherish. Jesse’s last advice to a friend was, “Sometimes you need to forget about the past and move on, but never be ashamed of your emotions, you are human after all!” Thanks, Jesse, for comforting us all and showing us the way! You will be so missed and we will celebrate your goodness and love for all of our lives.

Jesse is survived by his parents, Bradley and Jennifer (Herken) Parker, a brother, Jacob Parker, and a sister Gabrielle (Bria) Parker, all of Tomah; great-grandmother Phyllis Gabrielson of La Farge; grandparents Richard and Paula Herken and Richard and June Parker of La Farge; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by great-grandparents Lester and Myrtle Fauske, Hilma and Jesse Parker, James and Agnes Herken, and Roger Gabrielson; and a very special aunt, Terri Parker. Jesse’s death was also preceded by his two siblings who were early trimester miscarriages and it brings us comfort to know he is fulfilling his favorite role of all, being a big brother to those in heaven, as well as Bria and Jake.

The family would like to express their sincerest thanks to the wonderful staff at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, GA, for their care and support during our difficult time and to everyone in Tomah and the surrounding area for all their prayers, support and comfort

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 20, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel, Father Robert Cook, Father James Miller, and Father James Altman will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends may call Sunday, July 19, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah.

Memorials in honor of Jesse may be given to the Parker Family Benefit Fund that has been established at Farmers & Merchants Bank, 1001 N. Superior Ave., Tomah, WI 54660.

The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.