Michael J. Parks

Michael J. Parks

Michael J. Parks, Mountain View, Calif., beloved son of Michael J. Parks and Janet K. Parks, Seattle, has lost his courageous and valiant battle with myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia. He died peacefully at Stanford Hospital on Nov. 7 with family members at his side. He was 45.

Michael attended Seattle public schools and Blanchet High School. He was a Washington Scholar at the University of Washington 1986-1990. After earning a bachelor of science degree from the U.W., he attended the University of California, Berkeley, which in 1994 awarded him a Ph.D. in applied mathematics.

Michael worked as a software engineer, principally in the Silicon Valley. At his death, he was security researcher on the software-security-research team at HP (Hewlett-Packard). Professional activities included serving as a juror for papers submitted to formal gatherings of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Real Numbers and Computers (RNC). He held three United States patents.

Outside of work, Michael's passions were heavy-metal music and British comedy, especially anything and everything to do with Monty Python's Flying Circus. He loved to travel, especially to the U.K. He attended the First Farewell Monty Python Day in September 2010 at historic Doune Castle in Scotland. Despite his illness, he counseled family and friends to follow the advice of the iconic British motivational poster: KEEP CALM and CARRY ON.

Besides his parents, Michael is survived by his brother Gregory and Gregory's wife Kathleen Pullen-Norris and her children Liam and Hope Maya, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; by a sister, Sarah Marie Parks, Portland, Ore., and by an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. His remains will eventually find rest in Spokane with several generations of departed family members.

Funeral Mass in celebration of life, noon, November 30, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 8900 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Graveside memorial service December 14, Holy Cross Cemetery chapel, 7200 N Wall St, Spokane.

The family suggests remembrances to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Bishop Blanchet High School, the University of Washington or a favorite charity.