“Say not in Grief ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was” Hebrew Proverbs. Thank you, Charles & CoCo.

August 8, 2024, Dennis Dwayne Parker, originally of Petaluma, CA passed away quietly and peacefully in his sleep at his home in Elephant Butte, NM from a heart attack. They say he did not suffer.

Born September 18, 1951, he was 72 years of age at the end of his time. Dennis loved the outdoors and lived his life to be in nature. As a little kid growing up, he played little league baseball, fished for his favorite trout, rode his bike to the Cal Coast to go clamming, treasure hunted in old town sites, went bottle digging (which he then collected), went birding and had fun with his friends and family who he loved and was loved by them.

He had lifelong friendships with many of the people he grew up with and treasured, including his large extended family in Petaluma, CA. He is survived by his younger brother, Dick Parker and his wife, Ann and their daughter Jessica, all of Rohnert Park, CA.

After graduating a biologist from Sonoma State University in Northern CA, Dennis moved to Patagonia, AZ by way of Tucson, AZ and for the next 40 plus years, he shared his life and adventures with old and new friends, creating too many good memories to mention.

He met and married his forever wife there, named Yarra Cache (YC) AKA Laura Madrid Porter Parker. He was a thoughtful, trustworthy, loyal husband and my best friend, I was blessed by being with him.

Dennis was a great father to his stepson, Damien Porter, who he helped raise from a young teenager into a strong young man. A man he called, “Son”. Dennis was very very proud of the man Damien had become. He adored Damien’s wife, Jocelyn, and his four wonderful grandchildren, and was looking forward to seeing his very young great granddaughter grow up.

While living in Patagonia, Dennis worked at the Museum of the Horse for over 15 years, restoring horsedrawn vehicles. He guided bird watchers, hunters and did some day work on local ranches during round-up. He learned silver smithing from his good friend, Juan Sisneros, and made beautiful hand stamped silver belts, buckles, bolos and earrings. He was multi-talented and never stopped being a surprise!

As a professional biologist, his work on endangered species and natural resources was well known throughout the Southwest. The work he did over thirty years benefited all those he worked for and the many of his clients- who would also become his very good friends right until what would become his last day.

To complete his career, late in life, Dennis went back to school at Southwestern School of Law in Southern CA. He graduated and then became an Attorney at Law in Arizona. Dennis combined his biology background and his legal training to become proficient in his new field of Environmental Law and proceeded to accomplish everything he set out to do, standing up for everyone and everything he believed in.

Eventually, he and his wife retired to Elephant Butte, NM by way of Ojai, CA and they loved it and found it to be the perfect place to live. Most nights he loved to cookout over a mesquite fire, telling tales of playing college baseball, sometimes he just enjoyed a quiet evening under the beautiful New Mexico stars or enjoying an evening playing his mandolin and remembering good stories and good times with old friends.

He was extra special to me and very special to those who really knew him. May he rest in peace, he will be missed forever. YC, Loving Wife.