South Carolina man amasses 2,000+ sock pairs for Guinness record
When you watch one South Carolina man amasses collection totals topping 2,000 pairs of socks, a Guinness World Record is within reach. North Augusta retiree Darryl Parker, a former firefighter and paramedic, says he will keep collecting through the end of 2026 before submitting his stash for official verification.
Sept. 1 (UPI) — Parker told local station WRDW/WAGT that his unusual hobby started with a Father's Day gift. Birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions kept adding pairs until his wife and grandchildren decided the growing pile deserved a shot at history.
Key Takeaways
- North Augusta, S.C., retiree Darryl Parker says he has surpassed 2,000 pairs while pursuing the Guinness World Record for the largest sock collection.
- The current record of 1,531 unique pairs belongs to retired CBS Philadelphia anchor Jim Donovan, verified in 2025.
- Parker's wife and grandkids encouraged the record attempt after the collection kept expanding.
- He plans to submit his socks to Guinness at year's end and donate newly received pairs to local shelters once the record is secured.
Who Is Darryl Parker and How Did His Collection Start?
Parker is a retired firefighter and paramedic living in North Augusta, South Carolina. His stockpile began with a single Father's Day present, then grew as friends and relatives gifted pairs for birthdays and anniversaries.
Eventually, the mounting inventory caught his family's attention. As Parker recounted to WRDW/WAGT, they pushed him toward something audacious: a run at the Guinness World Record.
"My wife was like, 'Yo, listen, you got so many socks here...' my grandkids came and told me... 'how about we try for the Guinness World Record?'" Parker said. "I was like, 'You know what? Let's do it.'"
What Is the Current Guinness World Record for Socks?
The title is held by Jim Donovan, a retired CBS Philadelphia news anchor. Guinness tallied his collection at 1,531 unique pairs in 2025.
Parker told UPI he already owns more than 2,000 pairs — well above Donovan's verified count. For the full wire report, see UPI's coverage.
Still, Parker's total has not been certified yet. He plans to continue collecting through the remainder of the year before sending everything to Guinness World Records for official verification.
What Will Happen to New Socks After the Record Attempt?
Parker said socks donated by members of the public after he secures the record will go to local shelters — turning a quirky personal milestone into community support.
Stories like this land squarely in the realm of Bizarre News & Florida Man, where ordinary people chase extraordinary titles. From sock hoards to mass Malört tastings, Guinness record attempts keep delivering headline-grabbing oddities.
For Parker, the journey from one Father's Day gift to more than 2,000 pairs shows how a small habit can balloon into a globally recognized quest — pending Guinness' final stamp of approval.