James
James Parks
James K. Parks, born December 15, 1932 in Grand Rapids to Richard and Berenice (Churcott) Parks, passed away on June 23, 2015. He was 82 years old. Jim kept his marvelous sense of humor right up to the end.
During the Korean War Jim was stationed in Tokyo. He and a friend went duck hunting on the Sea of Japan during his years in the Army. He enjoyed a lifetime of hunting and fishing throughout Michigan and in Wyoming. Jim loved children, particularly his grandkids. He would lovingly tease them and then dazzle them with his winning smile. Jim loved motorcycling and went on trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 1 in California.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, the former Marlene Zimmerman, whom he married January 24, 1959 in Windsor, Ontario; his children, Jeff (Diane) Parks of Grandville, Marianne Morgan of Traverse City and Beth Parks (Keith Doezema) of Martin; eight grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Eric Parks, Megan Parks, Jacob Morgan, Emily Morgan-Ellis (Taylor Ellis), Benjamin Morgan, Brian Doezema, Alissa Doezema and Sahrie Doezema; and a great-granddaughter, Elena. He is also survived by his siblings, Robert (Retta) Parks, Gloria Medendorp, Richard (Sherry) Parks and Diane Murphy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Donna, Marge and Jean.
Cremation has taken place and a service for James will be held in late July. Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to
WVGR-Radio, Michigan Radio, 535 W. William St., Suite 110, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
or
WGVU-TV, 301 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of James Parks
Condolence Messages
Betsy Lutes
June 24, 2015 at 9:14 pm
Marlene, Jeff, Marianne and Beth and family,
Sorry for you loss, may you keep your memories of your dad alive in your heart always. My thoughts are and prayers go out to you and your family.
Betsy Lutes
Reply
Bill Pennington
June 25, 2015 at 3:17 pm
My Family’s condolences go out to all of Jim’s Family.
As Jim’s cousin and friend since we were infants, I know Jim had a very full and fruitful life. I will always cherish my memories of our adventures with Eric, Linda, and Sue – our dogs. Oh, so very many other memories……Thank You for everything Jim, Goodbye.
Reply
Carl and Gina Russell
June 25, 2015 at 10:24 pm
Beth and family,
We are sorry for your lose. I didn’t know Beth’s dad but i feel like i did by the great stories she would tell at the break table about things he had said or done when she was over to visit.. He is where Beth gets her great sense of humor for sure. You are in our thoughts.
Carl and Gina
Reply
Gloria Parks/Medendorp
June 26, 2015 at 2:43 am
I am full of sadness that my brother has gone. His smile could, would and did charm anyone within it’s range. He was a great guy. He really loved that motorcycle and enjoyed riding it while listening to Opera. He was complex and loved to tease. Jim, will be missed by many.
Reply
Ella Mae Kolk
June 26, 2015 at 8:07 am
Dear Marlene and family, My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Jim’s big smile and “hardy laugh” will always stay with me! May God give you His comfort and His strength as you all walk this painful road. With sympathy and love, Ella Mae
Reply
Jack and Sandy
June 26, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Marlene & Family,
Sorry for your loss. We have some good riding memories with you. Music & laughter; that was Jimmy.
Reply
Richard Williams and Bill Noren
June 27, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Marlene and Family. So sorry to hear about Jim. I have many fond memories of Jimmy from all those Christmases we spent together in Windsor. He was the life of all those parties and he will be missed.
Reply
Dick and Sylvia Davis
June 28, 2015 at 8:21 pm
Marlene, Jeff, Marianne, Beth and families. We are sorry for your loss but remember the good times playing cards and the camping trip. Looking back it was great times with good friends. We will miss him
Reply
Terry Beia
June 29, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Marianne,
Now I see where you got your million dollar SMILE!!
Hopefully all of the fond memories that you shared with dear old dad will help comfort you through this difficult time.
Fondest,
Reply
Judy(Warner)Krebs
July 10, 2015 at 6:29 pm
Marlene an family,
Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Judy
Reply
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During the Korean War Jim was stationed in Tokyo. He and a friend went duck hunting on the Sea of Japan during his years in the Army. He enjoyed a lifetime of hunting and fishing throughout Michigan and in Wyoming. Jim loved children, particularly his grandkids. He would lovingly tease them and then dazzle them with his winning smile. Jim loved motorcycling and went on trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 1 in California.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, the former Marlene Zimmerman, whom he married January 24, 1959 in Windsor, Ontario; his children, Jeff (Diane) Parks of Grandville, Marianne Morgan of Traverse City and Beth Parks (Keith Doezema) of Martin; eight grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Eric Parks, Megan Parks, Jacob Morgan, Emily Morgan-Ellis (Taylor Ellis), Benjamin Morgan, Brian Doezema, Alissa Doezema and Sahrie Doezema; and a great-granddaughter, Elena. He is also survived by his siblings, Robert (Retta) Parks, Gloria Medendorp, Richard (Sherry) Parks and Diane Murphy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Donna, Marge and Jean.
Cremation has taken place and a service for James will be held in late July. Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to
WVGR-Radio, Michigan Radio, 535 W. William St., Suite 110, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
or
WGVU-TV, 301 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of James Parks
Condolence Messages
Betsy Lutes
June 24, 2015 at 9:14 pm
Marlene, Jeff, Marianne and Beth and family,
Sorry for you loss, may you keep your memories of your dad alive in your heart always. My thoughts are and prayers go out to you and your family.
Betsy Lutes
Reply
Bill Pennington
June 25, 2015 at 3:17 pm
My Family’s condolences go out to all of Jim’s Family.
As Jim’s cousin and friend since we were infants, I know Jim had a very full and fruitful life. I will always cherish my memories of our adventures with Eric, Linda, and Sue – our dogs. Oh, so very many other memories……Thank You for everything Jim, Goodbye.
Reply
Carl and Gina Russell
June 25, 2015 at 10:24 pm
Beth and family,
We are sorry for your lose. I didn’t know Beth’s dad but i feel like i did by the great stories she would tell at the break table about things he had said or done when she was over to visit.. He is where Beth gets her great sense of humor for sure. You are in our thoughts.
Carl and Gina
Reply
Gloria Parks/Medendorp
June 26, 2015 at 2:43 am
I am full of sadness that my brother has gone. His smile could, would and did charm anyone within it’s range. He was a great guy. He really loved that motorcycle and enjoyed riding it while listening to Opera. He was complex and loved to tease. Jim, will be missed by many.
Reply
Ella Mae Kolk
June 26, 2015 at 8:07 am
Dear Marlene and family, My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Jim’s big smile and “hardy laugh” will always stay with me! May God give you His comfort and His strength as you all walk this painful road. With sympathy and love, Ella Mae
Reply
Jack and Sandy
June 26, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Marlene & Family,
Sorry for your loss. We have some good riding memories with you. Music & laughter; that was Jimmy.
Reply
Richard Williams and Bill Noren
June 27, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Marlene and Family. So sorry to hear about Jim. I have many fond memories of Jimmy from all those Christmases we spent together in Windsor. He was the life of all those parties and he will be missed.
Reply
Dick and Sylvia Davis
June 28, 2015 at 8:21 pm
Marlene, Jeff, Marianne, Beth and families. We are sorry for your loss but remember the good times playing cards and the camping trip. Looking back it was great times with good friends. We will miss him
Reply
Terry Beia
June 29, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Marianne,
Now I see where you got your million dollar SMILE!!
Hopefully all of the fond memories that you shared with dear old dad will help comfort you through this difficult time.
Fondest,
Reply
Judy(Warner)Krebs
July 10, 2015 at 6:29 pm
Marlene an family,
Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Judy
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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