HILO, Hawai'i — Capt. George Stevens Parker, a pioneer in the Kona charter fishing industry and the first person known to land a Pacific blue marlin weighing more than 1,000 pounds, died April 4 at his home in Holualoa. He was 96.

Born July 10, 1911, in San Diego, Parker was a strong advocate for Hawai'i's sport fishing industry and for fishing tournaments such as the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. He was a leader in the creation of the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, arguing for years that a sheltered harbor was needed to protect small boats in rough weather, and to allow the charter industry to grow.

His daughter, Jillynn Parker, said her father arrived in Hawai'i in 1935 and went to work for Theo. H. Davies & Co. Ltd., later moving to the Big Island to become paymaster for the 'O'okala Sugar Plantation.

He arrived in Kona in 1946, and bought his first vessel, the Mona H, at an auction in Honolulu. He moored his boat with a few other fishing charter vessels off the Kona Inn in Kailua Bay, and would hang around the Kona Inn next to Hulihe'e Palace to book the guests who were interested in charters.

He took some famous people fishing, including Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa and celebrities Desi Arnaz, Jimmy Stewart, Richard Boone and Lee Marvin, said Jillynn Parker.

Parker caught his world-record marlin in 1954, and was inducted into the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame in 2005.

He was also awarded a Silver Life Saving Medal Award from the U.S. Coast Guard for a heroic rescue at Kiholo Bay during a storm on Dec. 20, 1964. The Coast Guard radioed Parker for help saving two men on a capsized vessel, and Parker arrived in the Mona H, maneuvering between the swells to rescue both men.

Parker retired when he was 85, capping his career by catching a 650-pound marlin on his last day, Jillynn Parker said.

Parker is survived by his brother, Phillip Parker of Kailua, Kona; sons, Marlin, Randy, Mark and Steve; daughters, Gale Parker Allen and Jillynn Parker; and six grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held May 3 at the Kona Inn lawn from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be a scattering of the ashes at sea the following day, with the boats leaving Honokohau Harbor at 10 a.m.

Donations may be made in memory of Capt. George Parker to the International Game Fish Association, Hospice of Kona or the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. Arrangements are by Dodo Mortuary.