Robert Wayne Parker

In loving memory and in the Celebration of Robert (Bob) Wayne Parker’s life, a man

who made this place a brighter and better place was called home to his heavenly

father at the age of 77 on Tuesday evening.

Bob was a man with great perseverance as would prove true when he meant his

wife Judy Parker. He set his eye on the prize when he meant the girl across the street.

Unfortunately it was not love at first sight for her. Judy told Bob that she hated him

with a bloody passion and that he needed to go away for years. This did not deter the

determined man. He ran five miles every day to greet his pumpkin at the bus stop. He

became close with her folks doing chores and he won the admiration of her father who

grew close with the young man. Judy’s father finally convinced her to go have a Coke

with him and out of sheer desperation hoping he would leave her alone excepted. As

fate would have it that Coke turned into the beginning of their love story, Bob

becoming her lovable lug. Bob went off to the Army in 1966 to join the 101st. Upon

return home Judy and him married on February 16, 1967.

Bob embodied patience, compassion, and love. One night he sat with his eldest

son Tim who was a fan of the “Planet of the Apes” movies. He had bought him a statue

and he graciously gave him pointers as Tim painted away. Tim struggled and fought to

paint the figure's face just right, but in his frustrations could not make progress. Bob

sat with his son for hours cleaning off the face repeatedly giving him another chance to

try to get it the way he wanted. That night Bob put a crying Tim to bed with a hug and

a gentle “we’ll get it tomorrow son”. The next morning Tim, getting ready to pour a

bowl of cereal, picked up the box. Low and behold there sat a beautifully painted face

of his statue. Bob stayed up all night to complete it. This ignited Tim’s love for models

and Bob would beam with pride years after whenever Tim would show him pictures of

his work.

Bob had a way of influencing people. One day he had his son Tom assist him

doing a tune up on a 1984 Dodge Ram. Tom being a stubborn child and choosing to

listen to his Dad when it suited him leaned back, connecting a ratchet with the

negative and positive terminals gave himself a nice little zap. The tool welded to the

battery and Bob’s utter panic that Tom could have died decided this would be enough

excitement for one day. Crazy enough that experience with his Dad, inspired his drive

to pursue a degree in mechanics.

Bob was an outdoor enthusiast and an avid animal lover. On one of the many

camping trips Bob would take his daughter Sarah hiking and with immense joy share

his knowledge of animals. They would see baby deer under a bush and Bob would

explain to her why the baby deer would be without a mother or why a bear would tear

up a tree. On one of their many horse riding adventures, Bob let Tom and Sarah lead

with their horse when suddenly the horse took off bolting down a hill. Tom as any big

brother would naturally bailed off the horse leaving a little Sarah frantically gripping

the saddle for dear life. Bob became her hero that day, saving her from the danger that

was imminent in a little girl's mind. That hero gave Sarah her passion for animals

leading her on a path to become a veterinarian technician and some might say a little

bit of an animal hoarder, but well taken care of and unconditionally loved animals.

Bob had a sense of humor and the more he loved you the more he teased you in

good fun. One time when Judy was away and his son Matt having a tad bit of ADD

decided that Matt’s grabbing and annoying nature needed a helping hand being quiet

and calm. Bob, warning with a tease at first, decided to stuff a sock in Matt’s mouth

and duct tape his hands and feet along with Tom and Sarah. They put him in the crawl

space under the stairs and left Matt there until his Mom found him and Bob being Bob

found it amusingly funny. When Matt would fall asleep or they would be wrestling

Bob would take a sharpie and draw goofy faces on his toes. It got to the point that Matt

would pretend to be asleep so his Dad would draw those faces. Bob was Matt’s best

friend and hunting buddy. He was not only a role model for Matt, but for many others

inspiring those around him to be more.

His wife Judy thanks the Lord and her father everyday for having Bob as her

best friend and soulmate. He was everything a woman could ask for in a husband and

she knows how blessed as do his children to have been given an incredible man. They

will miss him dearly, but know in their heart and soul he will be watching down on

them.

Bob is survived by his wife Judy Parker, his three son’s Tim Parker, Tom Parker,

Matt Parker, and his daughter Sarah Martinez. Their spouses Anastasia Parker, Nichi

Parker, Brittany Parker, and Patrick Martinez. Additionally seven grandchildren

Kimberly Parker, Aiden Parker, reunited in heaven with Ty-Ty Baby, Natalie Martinez,

David Martinez, Jaylee Parker,Kenai Parker, and lastly one brother Ronald Parker.

Services will be held at Bustard’s Funeral Home Wednesday February 21, 2024 at

1pm.