Barton A. Parks

1938 - 2024

Barton A Parks

March 29, 1938 - October 12, 2024

Dr. Barton A. Parks Jr, 86, died peacefully in his sleep October 12, 2024. He was born March 29, 1938 to Barton A. Parks Sr. and Dora Priour Parks in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here he spent his first 12 years surrounded by his 23 first cousins, and aunts, uncles, grandparents -- a time he cherished the rest of his life.

After graduating from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, he earned his BA in Philosophy at Rice University then went onto University of Texas at Austin where he met his future wife Evelyn. They spent their honeymoon driving up to Buffalo NY where Barton earned his MA/PhD in Sociology/Social Theory.

He taught sociology at Middlebury College and Windham College in Vermont, and at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. He taught Criminal Justice at Indiana University, then moved the family to Greensboro, NC to chair what he helped evolve into the Justice and Policy Studies department at Guilford College. Many former students sought him out as they grew older to express their gratitude for the positive impact he had on their lives, a testament to his dedication and influence as an educator.

Throughout his 30 years at Guilford College, Barton increasingly branched out into the community and brought lessons he learned from the community into his classes. He coordinated multiple efforts to assist citizens in solving community problems and obtaining needed services where none were available.

In 1982, he helped form One Step Further, a mediation center for adults, youth, parents and families to take positive steps during times of personal crisis and conflict. In 1987 Barton led the effort to open a Delancey Street Foundation site in Greensboro, a rigorous self-help approach for alternative sentencing of offenders.

He was also instrumental in forming Project Greensboro in 1992, an organization designed to restore safety and security to neighborhoods with high crime and low income. He began as chairman, then a member of its board of directors.

In 1996, Barton was honored with the Charles Duncan McIver award - UNCG's highest award for service established to recognize North Carolinians who have rendered distinguished public service to the state or nation.

After Barton's adventurous spirit led him on an Outward Bound course in his late 40s, he helped start a ropes course at Guilford College and was one of its first course facilitators. On his 70th birthday, he was thrilled to successfully skydive. He had a profound appreciation for travel and the chance to immerse in diverse cultures. His time in Rovinj, Croatia and Prague, Czechia with his wife held special places in his heart. He also enjoyed teaching three semesters abroad London '73, Guadalajara '96 and Shanghai '13.

A self-identified stereo fanatic, Barton was constantly buying/selling new and old equipment for his foam-insulated music room in search of perfect sound quality. Visitors were treated to a strategically-placed chair from which they would hear music in stereo sounding as if they were in the presence of live musicians. He was an avid walker and enjoyed walking with friends, family and dogs over the years.

Barton was predeceased by his parents, brother Clarence Parks and sister Barbara Zelle. He is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Evelyn Bailey Parks of Greensboro, NC, his daughters Lisa Parks of Greensboro and Amanda Parks of Richmond, VA, and extended family across Texas, North Carolina and the Midwest.

The family wants to thank the staff at Friends Homes Guilford for their dedication, kindness and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Delancey Street Foundation, 600 Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107. Online condolences can be made at triadfuneralservice.com.