Jul 31, 2022

Karl “Dwane” Parker, 85, died in his home in Washington, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Mr. Parker trained and raced horses at The Meadows Racetrack for more than 40 years.

Mr. Parker was born in Lebanon, Ohio, December 13, 1936, and named Karl Dwane, after his father, Karl. He was raised on a farm in Morrow, Ohio, where his love of animals began as he showed cattle at the county fair and raised livestock.

In high school, Mr. Parker was a star athlete, lettering in virtually every sport offered at Morrow High School, most notably basketball, baseball, and track and field. He earned an athletic scholarship to Kent State University, but instead of finishing college he decided to play baseball and signed with the Cincinnati Reds and entered its farm system as a catcher.

When a career in baseball did not materialize, he began working in the men’s department of a new McAlpin’s department store in suburban Cincinnati, where he met his future wife, Bobbie Rayburn. They married and Dwane decided to change careers, establishing an insurance agency in his hometown of Morrow.

Then horses and harness racing came into the picture. One of Mr. Parker’s neighbors, who helped teach him to farm, had an interest in harness racing. A former neighbor encouraged his interest in harness racing and Mr. Parker bought his first horse for $425 and learned his horsemanship skills from a local trainer.

Mr. Parker started training horses full time and eventually moved his family to Washington, where he established his stable at The Meadows.

Perhaps because of losing his father at a young age, Mr. Parker was a leader and encouraged his three children, as well as his grandchildren, to participate in activities and show leadership in school and in life.

Mr. Parker served as president of several organizations, including the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association. In 1993, Harness Tracks of America honored Mr. Parker with its Art Rooney Award for “Sportsmanship and Dedication to Harness Racing,” and Harness Horsemen’s International also recognized him for his work on behalf of integrity in harness racing.

After retiring from training horses, Mr. Parker continued to make visits to the backstretch at The Meadows and on Adios Day welcomed family, friends, horse owners, veterinarians, racetrack security, and others at an annual picnic on the track’s backstretch hillside, a tradition he and Bobbie established in 1985.

Mr. Parker is survived by his wife, Bobbie; son, Norm (Paulette) of Houston; daughters, Kathy (Dan Coon) of Nicholasville, Ky., and Sally Bolon (Rodney) of Washington; grandchildren, Kyle Bolon (Sarah), Ryan Parker (Olivia) and Rodney Paul Bolon (Bethany); two great-granddaughters, Ellie Jane Bolon and Hadley Bolon; two sisters, Karla Thorndell and Karen Warsaw; and nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Concordia Hospice for its compassionate care.

Friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m., the time of service, Monday, August 1, in the Hummell and Jones Funeral Home, Douglas M. Jones, supervisor, Lawrence K. Donovan, director, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, with Pastor Joe DiDonato officiating. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Vocations Race Horse Adoption Program, 719 Dolan Lane, Lexington, KY 40511; Concordia Hospice of Washington at concordialm.org/donate; or Concordia Lutheran Ministries Foundation, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023.

Condolences may be expressed at www.hummellandjones.com.