W. Michael Parmer II

W. Michael Parmer II, 66, of Waynesboro went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at his home after a brave battle with cancer. Michael was born May 6, 1944, in Waynesboro, and was the son of the late Warren and Helen Parmer of Waynesboro.

Before his retirement in 2000, Michael was a 34-year employee of Reynolds Metals. He was an accomplished photographer and ran his own business, Pictures by Parmer, for which he received numerous awards for his work. He was a regular at art shows up and down the East Coast, exhibiting photographs of Americana, often hand-tinted. Along the same vein of preserving history, Michael was a passionate antique collector. A love for cars grew into an interest in motorsports. and he traveled to many sports car races across the country throughout his lifetime. He was an avid gardener, and his yard was featured in several magazines and on many home tours, including regular visits from André Viette and his students. He enjoyed vacationing in the Outer Banks and in Hilton Head with his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Janet Parmer; daughter, Tonna Lotts and husband, Lyle, of Fishersville; son, Trevor Parmer of Harrisonburg; sisters, Becky Price and husband, Eddie, of Lyndhurst and Sharon Marcus of Waynesboro; a sister-in-law, Jane McGehee and husband, John; brother in law, Allan Brown and wife, Donna of Alpharetta, GA; mother-in-law, Marie Brown of Hilton Head; four grandchildren, Courtney and Caleb Lotts and Max and Simon Parmer; and six nieces and nephews, Christopher Speck, Ashley Rhodes, Jason and Jared Price and Lauren and Andrew McGehee.

Dr. Eric Childress will preside over the service at Grace Lutheran Church, where Michael was a lifelong member, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26. The family will receive friends at the church from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 25, in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Family Services, Attn.: Grief Services, or directly to Grace Lutheran Church, both at 500 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, VA 22980.

Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Waynesboro is handling arrangements.