Arthur Walter Pirker Jr.

Arthur “Art” Walter Pirker, Jr. of Maryville, TN, passed away on August 18, 2023. Art was born on April 14, 1946 in Troy, New York. In 1957, his family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. There, he attended Fort Lauderdale High School where he and Jaimie met in the 10^th grade. After graduating in 1964, Art and Jaimie married in 1966 and had two children, Lisa in 1967, and Tommy in 1968.

Art was a man of many talents: musician, mechanic, race car driver, pilot, and general contractor. In high school, he played guitar in the band, The Imperials, and also played the saxophone. He later taught his son how to play guitar and Tommy went on to become an accomplished guitarist in heavy metal rock bands.

Art was passionate about racing cars. He started out racing in informal “street” drag races in the 60’s and progressed to sanctioned races during the 70’s and 80’s. He achieved much success with his beloved 1968 Hemi Barracuda, one of only 60 made, including winning the Winter Nationals drag racing championships. In 2018, Art was inducted into the Miami-Hollywood Speedway Park’s Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

In addition to racing cars, Art loved to fly. He earned his private pilot’s license and would often fly the family to the west coast of Florida to visit his parents in New Port Richey.

Art worked for Florida Power & Light for 30 years, starting out as a lineman and eventually became supervisor. In 1999, Art retired from FP&L and he and Jaimie moved to the mountains of beautiful Maryville, TN. In 2002 Art became a general contractor and built several houses, including the home he and Jaimie have lived in since 2006.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Walter Pirker, Sr. and Fernandina Pirker, his sister, Barbara Ann Patsches, and his son, Thomas Randall Pirker. Art is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jaimie Pirker, and his daughter, Lisa (Pirker) Boswell, and three grandchildren, Kathryn Paige Boswell, Courtney (Pirker) Prince and Wyatt Preston Boswell.

Services will be held at Smith Funeral Cremation Service in Maryville, TN on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 until 2:00 PM. www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com