MICHAEL PARKER Obituary

MICHAEL D. PARKER Michael was born in Klamath Falls, OR and passed in Nov. 2024. Raised in potato farming and ranching, he did cattle drives helping to move his uncle's cattle. At 17, he joined the army, stationed in Fairbanks, AK, working in 60 degrees below. After serving his 3 yrs, he went to Climax, CO, to mine molybdenum. Since it was still snowing in July, he moved to Miami, FL, with a friend, and worked as a lifeguard at the Fontainebleau Hotel. An opportunity came up in Albuquerque, NM, and he and his friend moved on. It was here where he met Harol Albert, who owned a company selling uniforms. When Harold decided to close the business, he arranged an interview for Michael with Zales Corp, and the rest is history. Michael always appreciated what Harold and his family did for him and remained close friends. Zales moved Michael first to Renton, WA, with the understanding that after keeping his volume up, he could choose his next store. That store was in Kailua and from there opened the Pearlridge Store. The shopping center was so new that wooden planks were laid so customers could get to the store. Michaels Fine Jewelry opened in Phase 2, 1974. In Phase 1, Xception Ltd in 1978 and Island Legacy in 1979. Gemsearch International opened in 1988. In 2000, with the help of his diamond cutter, Michael introduced the 100 Facet New Century, with a design patent, the only independent retail jeweler, at the time, to have a design patent. Michael served as President of the Hawaii Jewelers Assoc for a few terms and served a term on the Board of Directors of Jewelers of America. He loved animals and spent many years volunteering with the Hawaiian Humane Society by fostering dogs & cats and walking & washing dogs at the Moiliili Campus. At his request, Michael's ashes were placed in the ocean off Waikiki and a celebration of life was held. He is survived by his wife Jo, son Matt (Maria) of Whittier, CA, daughter Heather (Lee Williams) of Concord, NC, granddaughter Anais Parker, grandsons Ian Parker, Ethan and Caden Williams. He is also survived by his sister Ginnie Bellew of Lakeland, FL and niece Brenda (Arya) Zandi of Huntersville, NC. Michael was a wonderful storyteller and loved sharing them and new ideas with his family, friends and clients. He is truly missed.