Gary Parks

Gary David Parks passed away January 8, 2024 at his home in Grand Blanc, Michigan from cardiovascular failure. He was born in Flint June 24, 1937, the oldest child of George and Ruth Parks. He graduated from Flint Central High School in 1955 and briefly attended Flint Junior College.

As a boy he was fascinated with airplanes and automobiles. By age 17 he had earned a pilot's license and begun working at Fisher Body Grand Blanc. His desire to work for General Motors was motivated in part by the employee discount. This made it possible for him to graduate high school as the proud owner of a 1955 Corvette. In later years he had to put up with his son Craig occasionally telling him how much the car would be worth today had he kept it.

He was drafted into the Army in 1959. He did his basic training at Fort Knox and was stationed in Regensburg, Germany for the duration of his service. Upon learning that he held a pilot's license, he was offered the chance to train on flying a helicopter. He declined, a decision that in his later years he would identify as one of his biggest life regrets. He often said that, had he not been engaged, he likely would have made a career out of the military. His father had taught earth moving and road building at Fort Lewis, Washington during World War II, and Gary was certain that he could have had a similar career. But he felt it was critical for his future family to have a stable, long-term home base and not move around, so he did not pursue this career route. He left the Army with an abiding fondness for German culture and food.

In 1957 Gary met Gladys Polidan through mutual friends. They became engaged in 1959, shortly before he left for basic training, and married in 1963. They settled in a trailer park on Atherton Road, and welcomed their son Craig in 1964. In addition to his General Motors job, Gary began helping his father with the family excavation business, and eventually acquired a bulldozer, truck, and trailer. The need for a place to park this equipment, coupled with the pending arrival of their daughter Julie, led them to move to a more rural setting in Grand Blanc in 1967. Gary would remain in this house for the rest of his life. He retired from GM after 31 years of employment and went full-time into excavation. He continued doing occasional work into his 70s.

Gary and Gladys separated in 1984 and eventually divorced, though they remained good friends until Gladys's passing this past December. In the early 1990s he began seeing Melinda Sieggreen. They enjoyed over 30 years of partnership. In his leisure time he enjoyed square dancing, casinos, the Detroit Lions, airplane events, car shows, and conversation with friends. Afternoons would find him at Dawn Donuts. His mornings were spent at the Pancake House on the corner of Dort and Bristol until it closed, at which point the Fenton-Hill McDonald's became his hangout. Most of all, he loved being a grandfather. He was proud of his grandsons and enjoyed spending time with them, talking to them, and hearing about their lives.

Gary is survived by his son Craig (Ann) of Pullman, Washington; his daughter Julie (Tony) of St. Cloud, Florida; his grandsons Collin Parks, Zachary Rogers, and Evan Parks; his brothers Guy (Jean) and Timothy (Michelle) Parks; his sister Cheryl (Kent) Sexton; numerous nephews and nieces; and his partner Melinda Sieggreen. He was preceded in death by his parents. Per the deceased's wishes, he was cremated. A military ceremony will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery on May 15 at 10:00 am and a celebration of life will follow.