IN MEMORY OF FESS ELISHA PARKER, JR.

Fess Parker was one of the nicest men I ever met. He was such a gentleman so polite and down to earth.
I first met him when I was working at the Santa Barbara Medical Clinic in the optical dept in the early 1970's. He would come in and bring several pairs of glasses that he wanted adjusted. He was so sweet and joked a lot. We started this whole imaginary scene that ran for several years after he told me in his Davy Crocket voice that I reminded him of his wife Polly. "Same red hair and all". Each time he came in he would go into character and would ask how Polly was feeling today.

I remember one day a girl in the lab dept was trying to make arrangements for her wedding and he overheard her on the phone checking out venues. He then offered the backyard of his home for her reception. What a sweet thing and thoughtful thing to do. She was so excited and could just not believe the offer. Then several years later after I had come back from living in San Francisco we met again at the law firm where I was a receptionist. "Why Polly It's been too long since I've seen you". I was amazed that he even remembered me! So we would talk and pass a little time until his attorney would come. Often I would bring him coffee and escort him to one of the conference rooms. I finally got up the courage to ask him if he would give me his autograph for my father. "Why sure Polly", he said.
I had brought a piece of paper and a pen, but he didn’t seem to need it. He reached down into his briefcase and lifted out his picture as Davy Crockett and asked what my dad's name was and wrote it to him.
My Dad kept it in the living room I think. I will never forget his kindness and compassion.