James Weston 'Wes' Parker, 88
James Weston "Wes" Parker, 88, of Pahrump, Nev., a retired hotel, restaurant and tavern owner who previously had lived in Whitefish, Cut Bank, Shelby and Malta, died of natural causes Feb. 18, 2006, at Nathan Adelson Hospice of Las Vegas. A memorial service was held Feb. 22 at the Salvation Army Manor in Pahrump.
Survivors include his wife, Elaine, of Pahrump; a daughter, Sandy Rowe, of Beatty, Nev.; sons, Jim and Ariel Parker of Whitefish, and Ralph and Kathy Parker of The Colony, Texas; grandchildren Jaimye and Jay Thompson, Lauren Parker, Ashley and Jeremy Stern, and John and Carrie Parker; and great-grandchildren, Sylvia Stern and Jason Thompson.
Wes was born Sept. 30, 1917, in Missoula to George and Susie Parker. He attended school in Missoula and Whitefish.
He enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines. Later in his career, as a union iron worker, he helped build the Hungry Horse Dam, working as a hook tender and cable splicer. He also worked as a general foreman in constructing the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant.
Wes spent several years in Whitefish, where he married Isabel Rathjen Parker, the mother of his children, Jim and Sandy. This marriage ended, and he moved to Cut Bank and married Rose Talbot Parker, the mother of his son, Ralph. Wes and Rose owned and operated the Winner's Circle, a lounge and steakhouse renowned throughout Montana. This marriage also ended. Wes later owned and operated the GN Motor Hotel in Malta.
On May 12, 1972, Wes married Elaine Knight Parker, with whom he shared 33 wonderful years of marriage. The couple owned and operated the Exchange Club and later the Burro Inn, both in Beatty, Nev. After selling the Burro Inn, they enjoyed many happy years of retirement together, including summers spent at their second home on Flathead Lake near Elmo. Wes and Elaine truly cherished and appreciated each other, and loved the chance to entertain friends and family.
During his time spent in the Merchant Marines, Wes developed a love of astronomy that carried with him throughout the rest of his life. He easily could identify a great number of constellations. He also loved knowledge for its own sake, and often led family members in light-hearted research projects to learn more about Einstein's theory of relativity, the Parsi people of India, Saturn's moon of Titan, painter Paul Gauguin, and many other subjects. He also enjoyed fly-fishing at Upper Whitefish Lake and bird-watching.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Jeannette Parker, of Kalispell.
Wes Parker had a hearty laugh, a deep love of hospitality, and a rare gift for sharing colorful poems and anecdotes. He brought much humor and joy to all his friends and family, and he will be greatly missed.
The family suggests memorials to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89119.