Parker Manz Reid left this life and entered Heaven in the early morning hours of December 10,
2020 after a lifelong battle with epilepsy. Parker was born on June 24, 2012, to parents Doug &
Melissa Reid and brother James of Pasco, WA. He was a lifelong resident of Pasco. He is the
cherished gift of birth parents who gave our family the greatest blessing. Parker opened the
heart of our family in ways we could never have imagined. He taught us about unconditional
love and acceptance. He faced a multitude of challenges in life with grace, and he taught
everyone in his orbit how to do the same.
Parker was a friend to all who knew him. A former principal reports that his classmates would
often refer to Parker as their "best friend." Parker loved cuddles, holding hands, riding the bus
to school, strolling the halls and the schoolyard for "Franklin Feet," and throwing attitude at his
therapists and teachers when he didn't want to do his work. His greatest joy was making new
friends and greeting everyone with a big hello wave of his feet in his signature red shoes. His
laugh was electric. It could silence an entire classroom of chatty kindergarteners.
Parker blazed trails for students with disabilities in our community. Parker is an alumni of
Children's Developmental Center of Richland, WA and was part of the inaugural class to attend
Pasco's Early Learning Center. Later, he attended a Made-for-Parker inclusion program at
Franklin STEM Elementary School. With his bestie and paraprofessional, Lauri Howell by his
side, there was nothing he could not participate in with his classmates. Franklin staff and
students welcomed Parker with loving and open arms. We taught each other, as a community,
what being included is all about.Parker later attended Life Skills at Barbara McClintock STEM Elementary due to the challenges
in education brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic. His transition there was seamless, and
he continued to do what he did best: make more friends!
Our favorite family memory is a vacation to the Oregon Coast in the summer of 2019. Parker
enjoyed taking in the sights and sounds of Seaside and Cannon Beach. Something magical
happened there: Parker was so relaxed and peaceful near the ocean. It was a glimpse at the
complete and total peace we know he feels now.
Our family would like to extend our thanks and deep gratitude to the many heroes in Parker's
life. Parker's teachers, paraeducators, specialists, and school nurses made life wonderful for
him. His doctors and nurses added so much to the quality of his life. This village wrapped tightly
around us and helped us to become a better family. Special thanks to Parker's many special
friends including Ally and Kennedy for making special efforts to befriend Parker, and to Isla,
whose connection with Parker was pure magic. Parker's memory will live in the hearts of
everybody who had the blessing of knowing him—he was so easy to love!
Parker is preceded in death by his Great-Grandmothers Irene Reid (Spokane, WA) and Bonnie
Parker (Hermiston, OR), Uncle Teddy Manz (Spokane, WA) , and his Nana RaeAnn Parker
(Richland, WA).
He is survived by his parents Doug & Melissa Reid, brother James Reid (Pasco, WA), Grandpa
Jim & Grandma Jean Reid (Cheney, WA), and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Celebration of Parker's life will be held at a later date due to current social distancing
restrictions.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to
a Go Fund Me account https://gf.me/u/zca9pc
for a Memorial Bench to be placed in a park near our home in Pasco. Memorial donations may
also be made to Children's Developmental Center in Richland, WA in Parker's name.