Gene Edwin “Doc” Parks age 88, went to be with the Lord on July 29, 2019, at the Community Living Center of the VA in San Antonio, Texas.
He was born September 8, 1930, in Cowlington, Oklahoma to James W. and Nettie R. Park. He began his working career at the young age of 16, working with his father in the oilfield. On August 23, 1950, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and was in the Seabee unit during the Korean War traveling to Alaska, the Philippines and Korea. He left the Navy June 3, 1954. After he returned from the military, he met and married the love of his life Beth Malone on June 4, 1955.
He returned to the oilfield working as a driller in and around Pearsall area. He then became tool pusher in and around several Texas towns. Eventually moving to Kansas to work in oilfields, returning to the Pearsall area after 10 years. He finished his career as a guard at the prison system.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. and Nettie R. Parks and his brother, James C. “Brub” Parks.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Beth Parks; daughter and caregiver, Karen Parks of Pearsall, Texas; son, Gene R. Parks and wife Janet of Giddings, Texas; daughter, Teresa Dikeman and Husband David Dikeman of Amarillo, Texas; son, Lee Parks and wife Julie Parks of Syracuse, Kansas; sisters, Edna Davis of Katy, Texas and JoAnn Faseler of Yancy, Texas; 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; lots of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 1, 2019, in the Hurley Funeral Home Chapel from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Graveside Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2019, at Pearsall Cemetery. Memorial Service will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist church in Pearsall. Serving as Pallbearers are Grandsons, Dee Montgomery, Brent Parks, Jared Parks, Levi Parks, Gary Parks and Scott Hill. Honorable Pallbearer is Jerry Grubb.
Special thanks to Sonya Ramirez for taking such kind, loving care of him and her patience in playing dominoes with him, to the VA Community Living Center for their expert care and kindness to him and his family and special thanks to Amanda Parks for putting together a wonderful pictorial memorial for him. Also for friends and family all the prayers and thoughts sent our way.
In Iieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation @ www.parkinsons.org or to the Fisher House GPF 7053, 7485 Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78229.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, 608 East Trinity, Pearsall, Texas 78061.