Dean Ross Park

Dean Ross Park was born January 21,1931 in Stuart, Oklahoma to Lowell and Jewell (Carr) Park. He spent most of his growing up years in Red Oak, Oklahoma. He graduated from Red Oak High School in 1948. In December 1948, he graduated from Telegraphy School and went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad in Colorado. In 1950, he joined the Air Force where he served during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed on a radar site at Mt. Tamalpais in California. He spent his last year of service in Okinawa, Japan.
In 1954, he received an honorable discharge with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He went straight on to college at Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He graduated in 1957 with a B.S. in Business. After college, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he worked most of his career as an accountant for Amoco. He met and married his wife, Shirley Harris while in the singles group at First Baptist Church, Tulsa. They were both active in serving in their church and community and raised their two daughters there. In 2005, they moved to Rogers, Arkansas, where they lived until the Lord called them home. They were active members of First Baptist Church, Rogers.
Dean was a man of varied interests and talents. He had mechanical, electrical, plumbing and construction skills. He enjoyed inventing gadgets, bowling, playing harmonica, astronomy, and photography. He built 3 telescopes, the first with a 6" mirror that he ground himself at the age of 22, while in Okinawa. He wrote his autobiography, along with researching and co-writing several books of genealogy with his wife. He was a member of the Parke Society, Astronomy Club of Tulsa, Tulsa Genealogical Society, and the American Legion.
Dean loved the Lord, his family, and his church. He served all of them faithfully throughout his life. He taught junior high boys in Sunday School, even buying a station wagon early in his marriage for all the boys he picked up for church each week, where he served as a deacon. He and his friend, Ed, took care of the audio/visual needs of the church for many years. He also accompanied Shirley on all her visits to people who were home bound, new parents and international students learning English. He was generous with his time and money, and he loved his family well. His greatest legacy was leaving his footprints of faith in God and a life well-lived.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (Harris) Park of Rogers, Arkansas; and his brother, Dale Park of Mineola, Texas.
He is survived by his daughters, Deann Thompson of Lowell, Arkansas and Sharon Maxey (Jerry) of Rogers, Arkansas; 7 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Rogers – building fund. https://FBCRogers.org