Gordon Henry Stoddart Parke, age 87, passed away March 14th, 2017 at home in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was born in Ashcroft, B.C. on November 16th, 1929, son of Arthur and Isabella (Bennie) Parke.
Gordon and his two siblings, Alan and Peggy, were raised on the Bonaparte Ranch, outside Cache Creek, B.C. In 1967, after the death of their father, Gordon and Alan split the ranch and Gordon moved to live full time on the 2P Ranch in Upper Hat Creek.
Gordon attended Shawnigan Lake School where he was head boy and captain of the rugby team. He was very proud of his association with the school and stayed in close contact with many of his Shawnigan friends over the years. He later attended the University of British Columbia where he obtained a Degree in Agriculture before returning to ranching in Upper Hat Creek.
Gordon was a member of the Ashcroft Ranchers Association and became president of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association from 1964-1966. He went on to be president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association from 1974-1976. In 2012 Gordon was inducted into the Kamloops Cowboy Hall of Fame for Pioneer Ranching.
Apart from ranching, Gordon enjoyed many summers at Pavilion Lake, any excuse to go for a ride on his Harley Davidson, flying his airplane, traveling to Australia, New Zealand and Europe, reading, and engaging in political debates with his friends and family. He was also passionate about documenting facts and stories about the Parke family ranching history. Gordon is predeceased by his brother, Alan Parke, son Owen Parke, and sister, Margaret (Peggy) Gilmour. He leaves behind his wife Emer, his five children; Brian (Andrea), Linda, Anita, Tyler (Clair) and Graeme, his four grandchildren; Kaila, Maddy, Beau and Sage, and many nieces and nephews.
His Celebration of Life will be held at the
Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club
on April 29th from 3-6pm.