Jack Parks, 92, of Lingleville, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023.
Graveside services were held Monday, Aug. 7 at Lingleville East End Cemetery, in Lingleville, with Randy Parks officiating.
Jack was born on July 12 1931, in Fort Worth to the late Harold and Damaris Leatherwood Parks, a 92-year-old resident of his beloved Texas.
A graduate of Lingleville High School, he spent a two year stint during the Korean War, where he rose to the rank of sergeant, a tank commander in the armored division.
As a returning veteran he met Norma Bea Clayton of Bunyan, and married in 1955. Jack was the father of three children, Karen, Robbie, and Alesia. Norma preceded him in death in 2018. He and Norma were members of the Methodist Church.
For 17 years Jack drove a milk truck, and the last several years he was an independent milk hauler, owning two trucks of his own. In 1969, he went into the dairy business with his two brothers, H. W. Parks and James Parks. In 1976 he built and maintained a dairy of his own for 30 plus years. Jack was a very successful businessman and dairyman. His wife was a huge asset to Jack not only raising their three kids, but being the business bookkeeper.
Jack served on many big boards such as the cooperate board of Associated Milk Producers, Inc. also two different banks in the county on whose board he served for twenty plus years., Bank of Co-ops, which loaned money to Co-ops around the world, and the Farmers Home Administration of Erath County for six years.
Jack was most proud of his family, the many grandchildren and great grandchildren, that always brought him much joy. He loved his land, and cattle, and enjoyed working, never tiring of making improvements. He has a splendid reputation as a fair, honest man in his words and deeds Jack is survived by his children, Karen Rowe, Robbie and wife Deborah Parks, and Alesia and husband Dennis Woods; grandchildren, Khristi, Erika, Michael, Deric, Rebecca, Tawnya, Ashley, Chantz, and Valerie; 21 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Merle Jo Parks and Lynette Parks, and brother-in-law, J. R. Cardwell; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, and wife, Norma; Jack was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Rick Rowe; and a g r a n d d a u g h t e r , Stephanie Kunselman, sisters, Christine Ferguson, Helen Hampton, and Laverne Cardwell; and brothers, Harold Wayne Parks and James Mac Parks.
The Parks family wish expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, Lingleville East End Cemetery Assn., or the charity of choice.