Local businessman and actor Fess Parker dies at 85

"Davy Crockett" and "Daniel Boone" star-turned-developer and vintner Fess Parker has died. He was 85.

Family spokeswoman Sao Anash says Parker died at 10 a.m. Thursday of natural causes at his Santa Ynez home near the Fess Parker Winery. His death comes on the 84th birthday of his wife of 50 years, Marcella.

Parker became every baby boomer's idol in the 1950s when he starred as frontiersman Davy Crockett.

Kids grabbed up Davy Crockett lunch boxes, toy Old Betsy rifles, buckskin shirts and trademark fur caps. The series theme song - "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" - became a hit with its line "Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee."

Parker played Daniel Boone in the late 60s television show.

He later became a developer along California's Central Coast and grew grapes for prize-winning wines.

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[GregDrayGregDray]

Fess Parker will forever be engrained in our minds as a hero for all of us who grew up with Walt Disney. In addition to being a fine actor Fess was a fine man and an inspiration whose memory shall forever live in the hearts of the child in all of us who knew of him.God Bless Fess Parker.

[Freddie9384]

@johnradtke You grew up watching Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone & Mickey Mouse Club and did a comparison with those fancies of todays generation. You felt very proud of what you really had enjoyed during your time.

Ever thought of the old manual calculator and typewriter with todays computer?

[johnradtke]

I grew up watching Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, Mickey Mouse Club and Wonderful World of Disney. Funny how wholesome and clean these programs were...they had a positive influence on a whole generation. It's kind of sad to see that nowadays...most of the shows have no class anymore...and unless there is sex, cussing and perversion, there's no longer any theme to the story. I'm sorry the generation we have now has missed this opportunity.

[thinkorthwim69]

great story and great post pity the journalist had such a lisp

[barnfresh60]

yes as a kid you sure would sit glued to watch davy crockett and daniel boone,he was good and im glad i was a kid growing up caught up in all those tv shows from late 50s through to the 60s,what a beaut / fab / fun time wow wee !!!!!!