Wayne Parker

Wayne Donald Parker "Uncle Pepper" born in Phoenix, Az on Feb. 10, 1945 to Waymond Davis Parker and Betty Jo Williams-Parker. Known to all his friends and relatives as "Pepper" He was an Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War. He met is wife Pat while stationed in Georgia and they moved to Wittmann in 1967 after his discharge to be near family. Pepper & Pat started the Desert Trail Club in 1968 and rode in parades, went on trail rides and had "fun-a-khanas" for the whole town of Wittmann to participate in. Pepper and Pat had no children of their own but started the Red Barons 4-H Club in Wittmann and mentored hundreds of children over the years. Pepper was also a member of the Wittmann Volunteer Fire District, rising to assistant fire chief by the time of his retirement from the District in 2009. Pepper's "normal" job was as a mechanic at Welch's Garage in Wittmann where he helped many residents and travelers. He retired in 2010 for health reasons. Pepper passed away Feb. 8, 2018 at Del Webb Hospital just 2 days shy of his 73rd birthday. Pepper was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Pat and his father and mother. He is survived by his sisters Kathleen(James) Welch, Mary Frankum, brothers John Lee and Jess Lee, Nephews Jimmy(Sarah) & Stephan Welch, Jess (Alison) Lee, II, Arron (Tessa) Wilson, nieces Brenda (Theron) Lord, Amber (Morgan) Waltz and Melissa Lee.