Gerald B. "Skip" Parker, 89 of Tyrone, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Altoona on May 25, 1933, the son of the late Gerald B. Parker and Celeste (Gack) Parker Marlin. On October 20, 1953, in Winchester, VA, he married Rheta Stonebraker, who preceded him in death on October 2, 2016. He is survived by three children: Christine Sue (Richard) Behrens, Rondalyn Kim (Steve) Young, and Gerald Belmont Parker III all of Tyrone; 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, among them are Josh, Sol, and Eli Beyer, Andrea Schurr, Kellie Litz, and Wesley Young; two half-siblings: Pamela L. Alkins, and Randy Parker; and a first cousin: James A. Dengler, with whom he was close. He was preceded by one brother: Ronald E. Parker; step-siblings: James Marlin, and Patty Nearhoof; and granddaughter: Lara E. Behrens.

He was a 1951 graduate of Tyrone Area High School and received his Bachelor's degree in Secondary Mathematics from Lock Haven State Teachers College in 1961. He was first employed by Westvaco Pulp and Paper Company in the chemistry lab before moving to industrial sales. After Westvaco he was hired by Royal Oak Industries in the industrial sales department and retired with them in December of 1999. He also served honorably in the United States Marine Corp.

Skip was currently attending Roseland Christian Fellowship Church in Glasgow. He was also a former member of the Tyrone Sportsmans Association and the Tyrone Naval Club Ship 589. He was a former Blair County Prison Chaplain, and taught Sunday school.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, reading his Bible and many other books, and doing home construction and DIY projects. He and his brother once built a one story duplex, and he did many of the home improvements and construction projects at his own home.

An 11 am funeral service will be held for Gerald B. "Skip" Parker on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home. Friends will be received on Friday, February 3, 2023 from 4-7 pm at the funeral home, as well as from 10 am until the service. Private interment will be made at Bald Eagle Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Tyrone Library, 1000 Pennsylvania Ave, Tyrone, PA 16686, or Epworth Manor, 951 Washington Ave, Tyrone, PA 16686