D R Maynard Parker, Jr (“Maynard”), 77, of Fayetteville, GA passed away at his home on November 1, 2024. He was born in Knoxville, TN and the only child of D R Maynard Parker, Sr (“D R”) and Mary Hannah Bounds.

While Maynard’s father pursued work opportunities in his field of electrical contracting, the family moved across the Southeast and eventually settled in the south Atlanta metro area.  Maynard attended thirteen different schools before graduating from Henry County High School, then went on to Southern Polytechnic State University to study mechanical engineering. During summer breaks he worked as an electrician helper and discovered that he could earn a good living as a journeyman electrician. He immersed himself in that profession and became a project manager for Fischbach & Moore and Allison-Smith Company, working on most of the office buildings in downtown Atlanta.

Maynard didn’t just have hobbies; he lived his dreams. Since he was a teenager, he longed to travel to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and participate in land speed races. With his long-time friend and racing partner, Tommy Cox, they made that dream come true by building a 1929 Ford Roadster – “The 40 Car” – from the ground up. Maynard and Tommy started their yearly treks to Bonneville in 1987 and, with Maynard driving the race car, broke the land speed record for their classification in 1991. They reached speeds of over 200 mph and held a record for three years. They developed lasting friendships with other driving teams as members of The San Diego Roadster Club. Maynard built and worked on cars and engines throughout his life. Two of his proudest possessions were his 1927 Ford T-Bucket and 1966 Mustang fastback. 

Maynard lovingly raised two daughters, Christie and Stephanie, as a single father. They were always surrounded by a network of supportive friends who pooled resources and helped raise the girls alongside their own children. 

In 1999 Maynard hired Robin Patton for a short-term work project. Friendship quickly developed and blossomed into incredible love and partnership. They were married on a ranch in Buford, Wyoming in 2006, and he introduced Robin to the beauty of the west. They traveled extensively through Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Montana. 

Maynard never met a stranger. He nurtured friendships with scores of people, from high school mates, fellow car enthusiasts, loving neighbors, and even folks he met in restaurants. They will all miss his inquisitiveness, his knowledge and experience, and his laughter.

In addition to his parents, Maynard was proceeded in death by his half-sister Naomi Salaman (Roger) of Boulder, Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Robin Patton Parker; his half-sister Yvonne Flowers of Cedar Bluff, AL; daughters Christie Hecht (David) and Stephanie Brown (David), as well as grandchildren Carrie Ann Davis, Justin Davis and Ian Brown. 

A celebration of Maynard’s life will take place in the North Georgia Mountains in December.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution in Maynard’s name to The Michael J Fox Foundation:

Donate to Michael J Fox Parkinson’s Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Messages of condolence may be left at www.GeorgiaCremation.com. The Parker family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 1086 Highway 54 West, Fayetteville.