Gary M. Parker, 72, Pittsville, passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 19, 2024 at St. Joachim Catholic Church, Pittsville with visitation from 9:30 am until the time of service. Father Nathan will officiate. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Buchanan/Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Gary was born on July 29, 1951 in Wisconsin Rapids to Gordon and Alice (Grubofski) Parker. He graduated from Pittsville High School in 1971. He married Eileen Draxler on April 10, 1972 at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Pittsville. They later divorced.

Gary worked in many different jobs including Parker Lumber, J L Sullivan and Sons, Pittsville Police Department, Wood County Sheriff's Department Reserve, and Dick Weister Construction. Gary volunteered on the Pittsville Fire Department for 29 years and also was an EMT for Pittsville. Gary had a great sense of humor and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He especially loved spending time at Sandhill Wildlife Refuge.

He was a very talented carpenter. He loved playing cribbage, gardening and canning. Every year he always had the best onions and green beans from his garden. He loved tending to his fruit trees, beekeeping and making his own sausage and beef jerky. He was an excellent cook and loved watching the Packers. He was very generous and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He was the best father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his daughter, Carol (Chris) Foshey of Nekoosa and grandsons, Joshua and Tyler Foshey. He is further survived by his siblings, Kathie (Ronald) Carlson of Pittsville, Tim (Bonnie) Parker of Vesper, Suzanne Hendrickson of Marshfield and Kim Parker of Richland Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Terry Parker.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Pittsville Fire and EMS.