My dad, Woody Parker, passed away earlier today. He was a lifelong hotrodder and my hero. Back in the 1950s and 1960s he was co-owner of K and P Automotive in Richmond, CA. He raced his 1941 Willys at Northern California drag strips such as Lodi, Cotati, Vaca Valley, and others back in the day. RIP Dad.
Oh man I'm soooo incredibly sorry to hear that and it breaks my heart. I just lost my Dad last September and it continues to be very hard. Hang in there they say it will get better with time.
Isn't the yellow willys in the opening scene of the Gasser Files 1&2 by the Jackson Bros.? And was he related to Phil Parker owner of the GRAN MA willys?
Condolences @surfprkr to you the family and friends on your loss of your Dad. Hurts I know. Thank you so for sharing your loss and some history in pictures with your Dad in his element. I am sure you'll carry the torch on forward proudly in memory of your dad. Regards, Stogy
Yes, my mom filmed a lot of that footage many years ago. Years later they gave most of it to the Jackson brothers. No relation to Phil Parker.
Fortunate that I got to visit with Woody over the years at JSSR rod runs in Grants Pass and he came to Reflections runs in Springfield. Condolences to you and your family.
Feeling your sorrow, mine and my wife's are all gone. Never feels so alone in the world when your parents pass.
Please accept my deepest condolences. Your dad sounds like he was a good man. I will left you and your family up in prayer. Godspeed Woody!
So sorry for your loss. From that big smile on his face in the picture, it looks like he had a great and happy life. Enjoy the memories.
@surfprkr Sorry for your loss if i didn't say so before. I've reposted your dad's car in the Earliest Willys racecars post https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/earliest-willys-racecars.1024775/ Could you tell us about what the car ran for a drivetrain? Or maybe you could chime in over on that thread.
I know he ran several different combinations and am sure he mentioned running an Oldsmobile, a small block Chevy for awhile too.
Here's a picture of the Bonneville car. I'm still searching to see if I had a picture of Woody in his blue street Willys pulling a camp trailer when he came up to Belnap Springs Rod Run.
Though I never met him, I felt I new him through his letters he wrote to the Gasser Magazine in the 90's. He was building a sedan to attack the salt and attempt a land speed record. God speed my friend. R.I.P.
Sorry for your loss. My friend knew him well and wait to help him unload his stuff every year at Turlock Swap Meet.
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