Parke Winston Waggoner passed away Friday March 5, 2021 at the home of his parents. He was surrounded by his loved ones; those he called ‘his crew’. Parke fought his illness valiantly for as long as he was able, as it was his determination to echo that verse of his adopted battle song “and I won’t back down”.
Parke was born in Henderson County on July 7th, 1985 and is survived by his mother Elissa Waggoner, father Steven Waggoner, sister Teela Waggoner, brother-in-law Hartwell Carson, brother Trenten Waggoner, and his fiancé and the love of Parke’s life, Jalissa Deeley. He was Uncle Dude to his nieces and nephews, Emma Drake and Tucker Waggoner and Wilder and Evan Carson.
Parke passed through the Henderson County school system and graduated from East Henderson High School in 2003 having been a stellar soccer player. Parke went on to further his education in Charleston and attended Trident Technical College. While studying Civil Engineering, he excelled at shredding the gnar. No, that was not just about surfing, it would be about living and growing and keeping one’s shine. The lessons about riding out those most gnarly challenges thrown at you and learning to stay on your feet were not wasted on Parke.
Parke found his calling in the land surveying field. Again, he excelled in his capacity as an instrument man. Parke’s closures always far exceeded the requirements. Only two rules slipped his mind as far as procedural protocol at work – never chop with a sharp cutting tool inward towards your own legs, and never place the field book on the roof of the truck at the end of the day.
Parke pursued his passion for hunting and fishing in their season. Again excelling, he knew his quarry and was deserving. Parke threw his extra energy and resources into making a go of it down there on his truck farm. When margins were slim, he still found joy in working those tractors.
A quiet humbleness with a bright mix of friendliness and wisdom expressed by his easy smile and that chuckle was too soon gone but though he will be sorely missed, this memory of him was stamped on all who knew him.
A graveside service will be held Friday, March 19th at 3:00 PM Shepherd Memorial Park, 5045 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to two of Parke’s favorite organizations; St Jude Children’s Research Hospital 800-805-5859, www.stjude.org/donate OR The Green Riverkeeper Program at MountainTrue at www.mountaintrue.org/join or 121 Third Avenue West, Suite #1 Hendersonville, NC 28792
The family especially wishes to extend a special thanks to the dedicated staff at Messino Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Transylvania Care Partners and Hospice, Dr Jeanette Larson and the gracious people of Green River, Parke and Jalissa’s community.
Jackson Funeral Services is assisting the family.