Our beloved Mike Parkins - husband, father, brother, and grandfather - passed away on December 13, 2022 at the age of 64. While the cause of death is unknown, we believe it was very quick and that he did not suffer. 

Mike spent most of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area cities of Hayward, Castro Valley, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo. He graduated from San Lorenzo High School in 1976 and enlisted in the military that same summer. He served three years in the U.S. Army, mostly stationed across Germany. He was incredibly proud of his service to his country and loved to show off his German conversational skills any chance he got. 

As a career letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, many knew him as Mailman Mike. He made a point to know everyone on his mail route and was embedded in these communities, regularly checking in on the elderly and replying to dozens of kids' letters to Santa every year. The impact he had in his career can never truly be measured but the annual holiday haul of gifts, homemade food and handwritten notes gave us a glimpse into just how much he was appreciated.

Mike enjoyed 9 years of retirement before he passed, spending his time biking, swimming, going on weekend getaways with his wife, catching up with old friends, and connecting with family. His favorite hobby though was being a grandpa to Noah and Levi. He adored watching those kids grow and learn and he cherished every second with them.

Mike was the happiest he'd ever been in his last few years. He will be remembered as endlessly kind and generous, delightfully silly and joyful, and a friend to all he met.

Mike is survived by his wife and best friend, Barbara Parkins, his daughter, Erin Parkins, his son, Bradley Parkins, his brother, Doug Parkins, his sister, Sherry Welcome, his son-in-law, Mike Fountain, his daughter-in-law, Mariah Rodriguez, his grandson Noah Guillen, and his granddaughter Levi Parkins. He was predeceased by his mother, Alyce Swearingen, and his father, David Theodore "Ted" Parkins. 

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