Wayne Parker

Wayne Parker, 78, a lifelong resident of Roxabel and Frankfort passed from this life September 17, 2024. Born in Roxabel to the late Otis and Emma Schoonover Parker on Monday, June 3, 1946, Wayne was one of eight children and was the oldest son.

He was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather to two daughters, Leslie Gilmore and Gwyn Parker, two grandchildren, Autumn Parker and Andrew Shoemaker, and two great grandchildren Liam Lee and Madison Lee all of North Carolina.

Also surviving are his sisters; Evelyn (Kenneth) DeWitt and Sue Schenk, his brothers; Neil (Vicky) Parker and Scott (Michele) Parker as well as many nieces and nephews. He was especially fond of his nephew Jeff Lapp. In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his sisters; Jane (Joe) McQuiniff, Ann (Ralph) Moehring, Phyllis (Pete) Nance, his brother-in-law, Phillip Schenk and a favorite nephew, George McQuiniff.

Wayne spent the final three years of life residing with his family in Kitty Hawk and treasured his time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he deeply loved.

Graduating from Frankfort High School in 1965, Wayne was a proud Marine who attained the rank of Sargent and served two tours in Vietnam for which he was awarded multiple medals. After returning home he earned a welding certification and went on to work and retire from the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Chillicothe.

He loved farming and often talked about bailing hay as a teenager and getting run over by a tractor. He loved his childhood growing up in Roxabel with his siblings and working on their home place.

He shared the love of farming with his children and taught both girls how to drive on a tractor. He helped his children with their 4-H lambs, hogs and steers, and enjoyed camping every year at the Ross County Fair. He often reflected on the time one of his cows gave birth to triplets and the Chillicothe Gazette came out to take a picture.

After retirement, he enjoyed his time with the Shriners and served as their chapter President. He loved walking in the parades with a corncob in his pocket and volunteering with the Shriners at the PGA tournament in Muirfield every summer.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the EBRIGHT FUNERAL HOME, Frankfort with Joy Stanforth officiating. Following the service, Wayne's urn will be buried beside his mother in Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort. Military honors will be accorded by the US Marines. Family and friends may visit with Wayne's family from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.