J. Parker Christensen Memorial Fund

As a young boy, it was readily evident that Parker had a highly adventurous spirit, as well as a strong desire to always live life itself to its absolute highest level of joy and fulfillment. He was determined that his life could never be boring or dull, and he enthusiastically embraced each day as an opportunity to enjoy yet another great adventure. Parker also possessed the deepest of love for his family, his friends and his country. As a high school senior, Parker- fueled by a desire to defend his country following the horrific terrorist attacks which occurred on his 9th birthday, Sept 11, 2001-- became one of the youngest applicants to gain acceptance into the Navy Seals Program. And from 2011-15 he valiantly served his country in the U.S Navy. When a serious leg injury shattered his dream of becoming a Navy Seal, he was reassigned and proudly became a search and rescue swimmer. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Parker eventually found his passion and greatest joy by becoming an airline pilot. Parker learned to fly at Utah State University, purchased his own plane --which he fondly called Lucille - founded his own company, Apache Air, and had just negotiated with the BLM a new rural airstrip serving the communities near East Zion National Park. He had already begun working as a private and commercial pilot and was just weeks from obtaining his CFl from USU at the time of his tragic death. On Aug. 15, 2021, while piloting his flight instructor and her husband on an anniversary flight over the mountains near Bountiful, Utah Parker returned to the heavens to fly high forever. To honor Parker's memory, his family has created the J. Parker Christensen Memorial Fund (JPCMF), a nonprofit organization designed to contribute to some of Parker's great loves, The JPCMF was founded to keep Parker's memory alive through acts of service that make monetary contributions available to individuals pursuing Aviation Technology education at Utah State University and various veteran services and programs. The JPCMF has been able to make significant financial contributions to USU to aid in scholarship opportunities to individuals pursuing Aviation Technology, also known as the J. Parker Christensen Aggie Family Scholarship Endowment, thanks to the support from the many charitable donations and purchases made to the JPCMF. The JPCMF is eager to pursue opportunities to make financial contributions to various organizations. The JPCMF is entirely operated by volunteers, family and friends who loved Parker dearly, and all money raised by the JPCMF is donated to causes that Parker felt passionately about. His family and friends fund any cost of operations for the JPCMF, so 100% of the proceeds raised can go toward the fund. The JPCMF is grateful to Parker's friends and family for volunteering time and money for this cause.