The man responsible for creating the coonskin hat craze, actor Fess
Parker, died yesterday at his home in Santa Barbara. He was 85.
Parker is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcella, their son and daughter, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He is best known for playing the lead role in the Walt Disney Davy Crockett films. He is also remembered as Daniel Boone in the NBC –T.V. series.
Ending his acting career in 1970, he then became a highly successful hotelier, vintner and real estate developer in Santa Barbara County.