FAIRVIEW TWP — Dave Parker recalls replacing a refrigerator for an elderly woman who went for years without electricity.

He delivered the second refrigerator she ever bought. The first one ran on gas.

The woman was delighted to discover her new appliance had a light inside.

“Oh my goodness, isn't that nice — a light in the refrigerator,” Parker recalled her saying.

He said the woman only had electricity for a couple months before buying the refrigerator from Parker's Appliance 15 years ago.

“She only did it because she wanted a light on her porch,” Parker said about having her house wired.

Operating a small appliance store in the Chicora area has been a challenge with large chains sprouting up everywhere.

Parker credits his business' longevity to providing the service customers want.

“When you take care of customers, they come back,” he said.

Parker said larger stores typically can't deliver or repair appliances on a holiday, but he does.

“We've always tried to do things they can't do,” he said.

Parker also tries to service people quicker.

“If you call at 2:30 p.m., we're probably going to deliver the same day,” he said.

While trying to stand out among a bevy of competitors with old-fashioned customer service, Parker adapted to the times.

The store carries more brands than it did years ago. Being part of a buying group of stores, Parker can order products for a three-day turnaround.

With a father who operated an appliance store in a corner of the grandfather's heating and plumbing shop, Parker may have been destined to sell appliances.

“I was one of six kids, and I was the only boy,” he said.

While it wasn't expected of him, Parker ended up taking over the store, which previously relocated a little north from its former site on Main Street in Chicora.

As Parker followed in the footsteps of his father, Bob, his son carries on the legacy. Parker's son, Brian, now works in the store with his dad.

Though three of Parker's sisters moved away, the other two are in the area.

“We're happy here,” he said.

While Parker likes living here, he does enjoy traveling. As an avid golfer, he has played in such exotic locales as Aruba.

Playing in Arizona presented a unique challenge as the course was in the desert.

“It was bad,” Parker said. “There wasn't a lot of grass.”

He has yet to play in a couple traditional golfing locales.

“I've never been to Ireland or Scotland,” Parker said.

He picked up the hobby when he was 10.

“I was only allowed to hit out of the rough,” Parker said.

Although Parker played the sport in school, he knew he'd never be good enough to go on the PGA Tour.

After he married Connie, she decided to join him on the greens.

“She figured it was the only way she'd see me,” Parker said.

He said the hobby has led to various friendships over the years. The Parkers take trips with other couples.

“It's pretty much consumed me,” he said about golf.

Parker said his next goal is to teach the sport to his granddaughters, who are 8 and 11.

<B>Age:</B> 56<B>Residence: </B>Chicora<B>Family: </B>Wife Connie, son Brian, 35, and daughter Angie, 33, of Philadelphia<B>Education: </B>Associate’s degree from Robert Morris College, 1972 graduate of Karns City High School<B>Quote:</B> “When you take care of customers, they come back.”