Richard Parks

PARKS Richard (Dick) Noel, 85, passed away on November 1, 2018 in Lexington, KY. He was the devoted husband of Eula Jones Parks for 59 years and a loving father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many. He will be remembered for his generous nature and as a practical joker with a keen sense of humor. He loved God and his family and was committed to his church and community. Dick was born in Danville, KY and was the son of the late Julian Thomas and Gertrude Noel Parks. He graduated from Danville High School and Centre College. After graduation he served as Executive Secretary of the Danville Chamber of Commerce before entering the U.S. Navy, where he served for two years. He was employed by Kentucky Growers Insurance Company, Lexington, KY for 42 years, serving as President of the company from 1978 until his retirement in 2000. Mr. Parks was a long time member of Calvary Baptist Church where he taught children's Sunday School for 25 years and served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and on a number of church committees. He was a member of SAE Fraternity and past member of the Lexington Country Club. He was active in the Lexington Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow, and also belonged to the Civil War Roundtable. He was Director of the Board of the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation and served as President thereof from 1995 to 1997. He was also a board member of the Manchester Center and the Eastern Little League and served as President of the Burley Kiwanis Club. He was Secretary and President of the Kentucky Mutual and Co-Operative Fire Insurance Association and a member of the Employee Benefits Committee of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. After retirement Dick enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels, the Independent Transportation Network, and as a Docent at the Henry Clay Estate. He also worked in the IRS volunteer tax program for low income patrons. He loved working in the garden at his home on Chenault Road, playing tennis, helping people in need, and spending time with his family. In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by his three children: John Keith Parks Sr. (Cindy) of Raleigh, NC, Sally Parks Glover (Scott) of Orlando, FL and Lucy Parks Mahan of Lexington. He is also survived by six grandchildren: John Keith Parks Jr., William Savage Parks, Houston Savage Parks, Reed Walter Parks, Caroline Grace Glover and Emma Noel Glover. He leaves behind nieces and nephews Martha Ann Acton Moore, Alice Acton Ingram, Nevelyn Noel Acton, Alexander Gayle Parks, Mary Noel Parks Schoenbaechler, Julian Thomas Parks III, and James Garnett Parks. He is also survived by a number of great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Barney. He was preceded in death by son, Richard Noel Parks Jr. and siblings J.T. Parks, Jr. and Nevelyn Parks Acton. Mr. Parks' family would like to thank his sitters from Right at Home and several local facilities where he rehabbed/resided this year and received loving care: Morning Pointe, The Lantern, The Willows, Homestead and Northpoint. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at Calvary Baptist Church, 150 E. High St., Lexington, KY with visitation on Monday, November 5, 2018 from 4-6 PM also at Calvary. Milward Funeral Directors coordinated the arrangements. Pall Bearers will be his grandsons, nephews and son-in-law. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Calvary Baptist Church, 150 E. High St., Lexington, KY 40507; The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation, 120 Sycamore Road, Lexington 40502; and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Foundation, P.O. Box 34184, Lexington 40588. www.milwardfuneral.com