THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Saturday, February 5, 2022

Palmer Lamar (Pal) Parker, Jr.



Pal Parker, Jr., of Flagler Beach FL and Waynesville, NC, fell quietly asleep in death on January 28, 2022 at the age of 89, surrounded by his family. Pal, the eldest son of pioneer Flagler Beach developers Pal and Irma Parker Sr., was born September 19, 1932 in Atlanta, Ga. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pal has shared with others his strong faith in God’s promises since 1944.

Pal is survived by children Karen (Stephen) Bradley, Lisa (Kevin) Korbach, Russ (Patricia) Parker, Julie Parker, Brandye Parker, daughter in law Susan Parker; granddaughters Lauren Parker, Kimberly (Nikolas) Muriel, Maggie Hare, Sonja Bradley and great-granddaughters Emily Hare and Nova Muriel. his brother Robert “Bob” Parker. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 45 years, Ginnie Parker, eldest son Pal Parker III and brother Patrick ”Pete” Parker.

Moving to Flagler Beach with his family in 1946, Pal was involved in real estate from an early age. He helped his parents layout subdivisions in Flagler Beach, operating heavy equipment to clear and cut roads and dredge canals. Pal continued to remain active in real estate investing throughout his entire life. After graduating High School in Flagler County, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville studying Architecture. In between attending semesters at the University, Pal did iron work including helping build “High Bridge” located on High Bridge Road south of Flagler Beach, along with several bridges in the Jacksonville, FL area and in south GA.

Probably best known for his photographic career, Pal traveled extensively throughout the United States, as well as around the globe. He created hundreds of thousands of images and worked for corporations large and small; and is well known for his Auto Racing Photography.

As a teenager, Pal worked the Beach Races selling programs, pulling timing chains and assisting the race flaggers. As he got older, Pal and his friends built and raced Drag cars, which led to Pal becoming the Chief Steward for the NASCAR timing division, a little-known NASCAR venture that only lasted a couple of years. During that period, Pal raced the “Flying Mile” and received his gold “100 MPH” pin in the early 1950s. In 1964 Pal would combine his love of racing with his love of photography when he was hired as a staff photographer at the Daytona International Speedway. His keen eye and outgoing personality quickly made him a standout photographer. “Big Bill” France, founder of NASCAR, kept Pal busy photographing not only the races but the VIP’s, celebrities and events of the “Speed Weeks” in Daytona.

In 1965 Pal began his freelance photographic career which led to his working with other prestigious race tracks. Along with friends from the world of racing, Pal participated in all four of the actual “Cannonball Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Race”, setting a speed record for the fastest continental trip across the United States in a motorhome, and beating that record in the subsequent races. More than all of this, Pal always expressed his gratitude and love for his family and the opportunities he had to spend time with them both at work and in leisure. In the early 1960’s Pal and Ginnie purchase the photo concessions at the well-known western themed amusement park, “Ghost Town in the Sky” in Maggie Valley, NC. The family spent over 20 years working (and playing) there, as a team effort and creating memorable moments and a unique family bond.

A Memorial Service will be held virtually on February 12th at 2 pm for family and friends. All are warmly invited. For information about how to attend, please send an email to: palparkerjr@gmail.com