Edward Matthew Parker
April 30, 1967 - June 19, 2018
Edward Mathew Parker, 51, of Merced unexpectedly passed away early Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack. Parker was the owner and promoter of Merced Speedway. He had worked full time as a sales engineer for P & F Metals, a general engineering and mechanical contractor based in Turlock. Ed was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Merced Lodge 1240.
Ed was born in Pomona, CA. and lived in the area until 1975 when his family moved to Oregon. Ed grew up in a small town, Sutherlin, Oregon and graduated from Sutherlin High School 1986. Later, he returned to Southern California to be closer to his family.
More of a country boy, Ed never felt comfortable in the city and made the decision to move. Ed chose Merced more than 30 years ago, after hearing of the quality of life the City offered from high school friend Dennis Petty. He began work as a turbine millwright, and gained engineering experience in the field. Early in his career, Ed traveled to remote areas of Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii to repair large turbine equipment.
In 1997, Ed was tired of the nomadic lifestyle and settled at California Mill Equipment Co., a manufacturer representative based in Turlock. He was hired as a millwright mechanic by Greg Hicks and was assigned to work at Proctor and Gamble for four years.
Ed did so well that they sent him to Pacific Orville Power as a Project Manager. Ed's charismatic personality and ability to assess the client's needs gained the attention of management. Ed was able to talk "field" talk with the mechanics and facility managers and then quickly translate that back in the office regarding client needs. Ed was then moved to inside sales at Cal Mill.
In 2002, Ed moved to outside sales for both P&F Metals and Cal Mill. Most Recent, Ed was promoted to Sales Manager for P&F Metals. Jim Vieira, owner of P&F Metals, described Ed as "well liked by his clients and coworkers. His absence is a terrible loss and will be felt deeply in the Merced community and beyond"
It's not a secret that Ed's passion was racing. Ed soon discovered racing at Merced Speedway, and promptly bought a "little-truck" to compete in entry-level divisions 25 years ago. He later moved up to the street stock division, with Merced driver Tim Ragsdale, who drove Ed's car to the Merced Speedway Championship in 2007.
Ed was consumed by a love for racing that brought him to far away racetracks with the dream of someday owning his own racetrack. While on a hiatus from Merced Speedway, Ed began racing with his five year old son, Cody, at area go-kart tracks. When Cody came of age, father and son worked on a Camaro stock car. They returned to Merced Speedway three seasons ago, with Cody driving.
It was while racing in the track's Hobby Stock division that the opportunity arose for Ed to make his dream come true. He purchased Merced Speedway with the conviction to make racing better and to have a positive impact upon the sport. He took on this new endeavor with all his heart. Under Ed's management, this year's fair race experienced the highest attendance recorded in decades.
Cody, Ed's pride and joy, continues to race, graduating to the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) SportMod division last season. Cody is a 2018 graduate from Merced High School and will be attending Merced College in the fall.
Ed is remembered by the racing community as being bigger than life. If he liked someone, they would become his friend forever. He soon had a huge racing "family" that shared his enthusiasm for Merced Speedway and its future.
Ed traveled to racing shows and events across the country, sharing ideas with other racing personalities and bringing national attention to his track.
He often said family meant the world to him, and he included both his own family and his new racing family. He credited both with the success of Merced Speedway.
Ed is survived by his wife Patricia, son Cody, sister; Elizabeth Pfau, her husband Richard and his niece Caitlyn Pfau; his father Moses Parker, step-mom Cyndi, a brother-in-law, several sister-in-laws, as well as several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his mother, Nanci Parker.
There will be a Celebration of Ed's Life on July 6th at the Fairgrounds at 11:00 am. Evergreen Funeral Home has been entrusted with the services. Donations can be made payable to: Cody Parker sent to P.O. Box 3154, Merced, CA. 95344 or through the banking app Zelle in Cody's name.
~Merced Sun Star, June 27, 2018~
April 30, 1967 - June 19, 2018
Edward Mathew Parker, 51, of Merced unexpectedly passed away early Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack. Parker was the owner and promoter of Merced Speedway. He had worked full time as a sales engineer for P & F Metals, a general engineering and mechanical contractor based in Turlock. Ed was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Merced Lodge 1240.
Ed was born in Pomona, CA. and lived in the area until 1975 when his family moved to Oregon. Ed grew up in a small town, Sutherlin, Oregon and graduated from Sutherlin High School 1986. Later, he returned to Southern California to be closer to his family.
More of a country boy, Ed never felt comfortable in the city and made the decision to move. Ed chose Merced more than 30 years ago, after hearing of the quality of life the City offered from high school friend Dennis Petty. He began work as a turbine millwright, and gained engineering experience in the field. Early in his career, Ed traveled to remote areas of Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii to repair large turbine equipment.
In 1997, Ed was tired of the nomadic lifestyle and settled at California Mill Equipment Co., a manufacturer representative based in Turlock. He was hired as a millwright mechanic by Greg Hicks and was assigned to work at Proctor and Gamble for four years.
Ed did so well that they sent him to Pacific Orville Power as a Project Manager. Ed's charismatic personality and ability to assess the client's needs gained the attention of management. Ed was able to talk "field" talk with the mechanics and facility managers and then quickly translate that back in the office regarding client needs. Ed was then moved to inside sales at Cal Mill.
In 2002, Ed moved to outside sales for both P&F Metals and Cal Mill. Most Recent, Ed was promoted to Sales Manager for P&F Metals. Jim Vieira, owner of P&F Metals, described Ed as "well liked by his clients and coworkers. His absence is a terrible loss and will be felt deeply in the Merced community and beyond"
It's not a secret that Ed's passion was racing. Ed soon discovered racing at Merced Speedway, and promptly bought a "little-truck" to compete in entry-level divisions 25 years ago. He later moved up to the street stock division, with Merced driver Tim Ragsdale, who drove Ed's car to the Merced Speedway Championship in 2007.
Ed was consumed by a love for racing that brought him to far away racetracks with the dream of someday owning his own racetrack. While on a hiatus from Merced Speedway, Ed began racing with his five year old son, Cody, at area go-kart tracks. When Cody came of age, father and son worked on a Camaro stock car. They returned to Merced Speedway three seasons ago, with Cody driving.
It was while racing in the track's Hobby Stock division that the opportunity arose for Ed to make his dream come true. He purchased Merced Speedway with the conviction to make racing better and to have a positive impact upon the sport. He took on this new endeavor with all his heart. Under Ed's management, this year's fair race experienced the highest attendance recorded in decades.
Cody, Ed's pride and joy, continues to race, graduating to the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) SportMod division last season. Cody is a 2018 graduate from Merced High School and will be attending Merced College in the fall.
Ed is remembered by the racing community as being bigger than life. If he liked someone, they would become his friend forever. He soon had a huge racing "family" that shared his enthusiasm for Merced Speedway and its future.
Ed traveled to racing shows and events across the country, sharing ideas with other racing personalities and bringing national attention to his track.
He often said family meant the world to him, and he included both his own family and his new racing family. He credited both with the success of Merced Speedway.
Ed is survived by his wife Patricia, son Cody, sister; Elizabeth Pfau, her husband Richard and his niece Caitlyn Pfau; his father Moses Parker, step-mom Cyndi, a brother-in-law, several sister-in-laws, as well as several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his mother, Nanci Parker.
There will be a Celebration of Ed's Life on July 6th at the Fairgrounds at 11:00 am. Evergreen Funeral Home has been entrusted with the services. Donations can be made payable to: Cody Parker sent to P.O. Box 3154, Merced, CA. 95344 or through the banking app Zelle in Cody's name.
~Merced Sun Star, June 27, 2018~
Edward Matthew Parker
April 30, 1967 - June 19, 2018
Edward Mathew Parker, 51, of Merced unexpectedly passed away early Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack. Parker was the owner and promoter of Merced Speedway. He had worked full time as a sales engineer for P & F Metals, a general engineering and mechanical contractor based in Turlock. Ed was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Merced Lodge 1240.
Ed was born in Pomona, CA. and lived in the area until 1975 when his family moved to Oregon. Ed grew up in a small town, Sutherlin, Oregon and graduated from Sutherlin High School 1986. Later, he returned to Southern California to be closer to his family.
More of a country boy, Ed never felt comfortable in the city and made the decision to move. Ed chose Merced more than 30 years ago, after hearing of the quality of life the City offered from high school friend Dennis Petty. He began work as a turbine millwright, and gained engineering experience in the field. Early in his career, Ed traveled to remote areas of Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii to repair large turbine equipment.
In 1997, Ed was tired of the nomadic lifestyle and settled at California Mill Equipment Co., a manufacturer representative based in Turlock. He was hired as a millwright mechanic by Greg Hicks and was assigned to work at Proctor and Gamble for four years.
Ed did so well that they sent him to Pacific Orville Power as a Project Manager. Ed's charismatic personality and ability to assess the client's needs gained the attention of management. Ed was able to talk "field" talk with the mechanics and facility managers and then quickly translate that back in the office regarding client needs. Ed was then moved to inside sales at Cal Mill.
In 2002, Ed moved to outside sales for both P&F Metals and Cal Mill. Most Recent, Ed was promoted to Sales Manager for P&F Metals. Jim Vieira, owner of P&F Metals, described Ed as "well liked by his clients and coworkers. His absence is a terrible loss and will be felt deeply in the Merced community and beyond"
It's not a secret that Ed's passion was racing. Ed soon discovered racing at Merced Speedway, and promptly bought a "little-truck" to compete in entry-level divisions 25 years ago. He later moved up to the street stock division, with Merced driver Tim Ragsdale, who drove Ed's car to the Merced Speedway Championship in 2007.
Ed was consumed by a love for racing that brought him to far away racetracks with the dream of someday owning his own racetrack. While on a hiatus from Merced Speedway, Ed began racing with his five year old son, Cody, at area go-kart tracks. When Cody came of age, father and son worked on a Camaro stock car. They returned to Merced Speedway three seasons ago, with Cody driving.
It was while racing in the track's Hobby Stock division that the opportunity arose for Ed to make his dream come true. He purchased Merced Speedway with the conviction to make racing better and to have a positive impact upon the sport. He took on this new endeavor with all his heart. Under Ed's management, this year's fair race experienced the highest attendance recorded in decades.
Cody, Ed's pride and joy, continues to race, graduating to the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) SportMod division last season. Cody is a 2018 graduate from Merced High School and will be attending Merced College in the fall.
Ed is remembered by the racing community as being bigger than life. If he liked someone, they would become his friend forever. He soon had a huge racing "family" that shared his enthusiasm for Merced Speedway and its future.
Ed traveled to racing shows and events across the country, sharing ideas with other racing personalities and bringing national attention to his track.
He often said family meant the world to him, and he included both his own family and his new racing family. He credited both with the success of Merced Speedway.
Ed is survived by his wife Patricia, son Cody, sister; Elizabeth Pfau, her husband Richard and his niece Caitlyn Pfau; his father Moses Parker, step-mom Cyndi, a brother-in-law, several sister-in-laws, as well as several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his mother, Nanci Parker.
There will be a Celebration of Ed's Life on July 6th at the Fairgrounds at 11:00 am. Evergreen Funeral Home has been entrusted with the services. Donations can be made payable to: Cody Parker sent to P.O. Box 3154, Merced, CA. 95344 or through the banking app Zelle in Cody's name.
~Merced Sun Star, June 27, 2018~
April 30, 1967 - June 19, 2018
Edward Mathew Parker, 51, of Merced unexpectedly passed away early Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack. Parker was the owner and promoter of Merced Speedway. He had worked full time as a sales engineer for P & F Metals, a general engineering and mechanical contractor based in Turlock. Ed was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Merced Lodge 1240.
Ed was born in Pomona, CA. and lived in the area until 1975 when his family moved to Oregon. Ed grew up in a small town, Sutherlin, Oregon and graduated from Sutherlin High School 1986. Later, he returned to Southern California to be closer to his family.
More of a country boy, Ed never felt comfortable in the city and made the decision to move. Ed chose Merced more than 30 years ago, after hearing of the quality of life the City offered from high school friend Dennis Petty. He began work as a turbine millwright, and gained engineering experience in the field. Early in his career, Ed traveled to remote areas of Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii to repair large turbine equipment.
In 1997, Ed was tired of the nomadic lifestyle and settled at California Mill Equipment Co., a manufacturer representative based in Turlock. He was hired as a millwright mechanic by Greg Hicks and was assigned to work at Proctor and Gamble for four years.
Ed did so well that they sent him to Pacific Orville Power as a Project Manager. Ed's charismatic personality and ability to assess the client's needs gained the attention of management. Ed was able to talk "field" talk with the mechanics and facility managers and then quickly translate that back in the office regarding client needs. Ed was then moved to inside sales at Cal Mill.
In 2002, Ed moved to outside sales for both P&F Metals and Cal Mill. Most Recent, Ed was promoted to Sales Manager for P&F Metals. Jim Vieira, owner of P&F Metals, described Ed as "well liked by his clients and coworkers. His absence is a terrible loss and will be felt deeply in the Merced community and beyond"
It's not a secret that Ed's passion was racing. Ed soon discovered racing at Merced Speedway, and promptly bought a "little-truck" to compete in entry-level divisions 25 years ago. He later moved up to the street stock division, with Merced driver Tim Ragsdale, who drove Ed's car to the Merced Speedway Championship in 2007.
Ed was consumed by a love for racing that brought him to far away racetracks with the dream of someday owning his own racetrack. While on a hiatus from Merced Speedway, Ed began racing with his five year old son, Cody, at area go-kart tracks. When Cody came of age, father and son worked on a Camaro stock car. They returned to Merced Speedway three seasons ago, with Cody driving.
It was while racing in the track's Hobby Stock division that the opportunity arose for Ed to make his dream come true. He purchased Merced Speedway with the conviction to make racing better and to have a positive impact upon the sport. He took on this new endeavor with all his heart. Under Ed's management, this year's fair race experienced the highest attendance recorded in decades.
Cody, Ed's pride and joy, continues to race, graduating to the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) SportMod division last season. Cody is a 2018 graduate from Merced High School and will be attending Merced College in the fall.
Ed is remembered by the racing community as being bigger than life. If he liked someone, they would become his friend forever. He soon had a huge racing "family" that shared his enthusiasm for Merced Speedway and its future.
Ed traveled to racing shows and events across the country, sharing ideas with other racing personalities and bringing national attention to his track.
He often said family meant the world to him, and he included both his own family and his new racing family. He credited both with the success of Merced Speedway.
Ed is survived by his wife Patricia, son Cody, sister; Elizabeth Pfau, her husband Richard and his niece Caitlyn Pfau; his father Moses Parker, step-mom Cyndi, a brother-in-law, several sister-in-laws, as well as several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his mother, Nanci Parker.
There will be a Celebration of Ed's Life on July 6th at the Fairgrounds at 11:00 am. Evergreen Funeral Home has been entrusted with the services. Donations can be made payable to: Cody Parker sent to P.O. Box 3154, Merced, CA. 95344 or through the banking app Zelle in Cody's name.
~Merced Sun Star, June 27, 2018~
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