July 03--A former Lamar Community College baseball player was one of the 19 firefighters killed in the Yarnell Hill Wildfire in Arizona.
Wade Parker, 22, was an infielder for the Runnin' Lopes from 2009-10.
LCC posted the notice on its Facebook page. Lamar coach Scott Crampton could not be reached for comment.
An Arizona native and son of a fire captain, Parker had recently joined Prescott Fire Department's Granite Mountain Hotshots crew.
"He was another guy who wanted to be a second-generation firefighter. Big, athletic kid who loved it, aggressive, assertive and in great shape," retired Prescott Fire Capt. Jeff Knotek told the Arizona Daily Star.
USA Today said Parker was a co-captain on the crew.
Parker is the son of Dan Parker, a captain with his hometown Chino Valley Fire Department.
The Prescott Daily Courier said Parker was to wed in the fall.
At Chino Valley High School, Parker played shortstop and was a leader on and off the field, often leading the team in pregame prayer.
"Even after he left, he was always there to contribute and try to give good solid advice, Parker's high school coach, Bruce Nesbitt, told The Daily Courier.
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