On August 2, 2002, in Hastings, NE, Nick and Chantel Tonkinson were blessed with the first addition to their family of boys, Parker James Tonkinson. He came into the world with so many gifts and talents and his parents knew he would do great things.
One of these gifts was the art of storytelling. He loved to crawl up on people’s laps and ask for stories about dragons. Parker would then add his own twists and turns to it. Parker never wanted the dragon stories to end so he continued to ask, “what else?”. He loved movies and as a child, his favorite parts were the “coming soons”. He came up with his own names for things like a statue of a giraffe at his nana’s house he called “Buddy Buck” or his babies and blankets that he carried around everywhere.
Parker was also blessed with his dad’s humor and wittiness; he loved to make people laugh. His silly side carried him through some of his stress and often helped those around him. He could often be found making his younger brothers the butt of his jokes.
He was compassionate and loving. If you had the honor to be in Parker’s inner circle of friends and family, he loved so deeply. He watched out for those he loved and put their needs ahead of his own. Parker felt when people were hurting and wanted to make sure they were okay.
Parker loved the outdoors; he loved to hunt and fish. The annual deer camp in November was something he looked forward to and spent weeks planning with his dad and brothers. He had several trophy deer in his apartment to show off to anyone who came around.
Perhaps his greatest blessing was his talent for music. Parker was drawn to music at an early age. He could often be found in his car seat dancing to “I like the way you move” by Outkast. His love truly developed when he learned to play instruments; first, the trumpet, then the guitar, and self-taught piano. He was most recently learning to compose and put out original instrumentals. Parker earned several awards including superior ratings at All State Music and the Nebraska Young Artist Award given to only forty students in Nebraska.
After graduating from North Platte High School in 2020, this talent led Parker to pursue his dream by auditioning for the Cornhusker marching band of which he was a member for one year. His love of music also led him to some of his most treasured friends.
Parker’s loss will leave a void in so many people’s lives but most of all his three younger brothers: his companion for life, Caleb, 19; his target for all of his “big brother antics”, Blake, 16; and his brother who idolized him in every way, Gabriel, 13; his parents, Nick and Chantel, who will never fill the hole he leaves; his nana and papa, Kay and James Tonkinson, who supported his every adventure and endeavor; his grandma, Carmen Luellman, who spent many evenings telling dragon stories. He leaves behind a number of extended family members, including aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as numerous friends, teachers, and others who impacted his life.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Ronald Tierney and Steve Luellman; and his great grandfather, James Ruberson.
Services will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 1 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with Bishop Jesse Dunn as officiant. Burial will follow in North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 12 PM to 7 PM with family present from 5 PM to 7 PM at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.