Mr. Edwin James Parks

Edwin James Parks, 76, of Mansfield, Texas, passed away on December 16, 2025, after a courageous battle with vascular dementia. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, to James and Esther Parks.

Ed graduated from Central Catholic High School and attended Texas A&M University before enlisting in the United States Air Force. While stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, he met the love of his life, Carol Jean. They married and settled in Harlingen, Texas, with their daughter, Kadda, and later welcomed their son, Kyle. The family eventually moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where they raised their children and built lasting friendships.

Ed had a dry but playful sense of humor, often shared with one of his five brothers or six sisters. He was rarely without his camera, capturing every family event and milestone. He patiently taught his eldest granddaughter, Kieran, how to use his camera, letting her snap photos during a family vacation in Orlando. He cherished looking through photos with his grandchildren and sharing stories of his childhood among his many siblings.

He loved being a grandfather-affectionately known as "Popo" to his grandchildren, while he fondly called them "the little beasties." He playfully protested whenever his granddaughters stole the cherry from his chocolate shake at Red Robin. He delighted in playing the willing patron when Haiden and Kieran took turns as "waitress," paying him with real money-a transaction they never argued over. He was often the preferred lap for watching Tinker Bell movies.

With his youngest granddaughter, Karina-who clearly inherited her sweet tooth from her Popo-he shared secret Hershey's Kisses behind his wife's back. Known as "the baby whisperer," he shared a special bond with his youngest grandson, Lawson, who frequently fell asleep on Ed's chest as an infant. Popo always offered a welcoming lap for reading books, watching cartoons, or simply sitting together.

Ed loved fishing with his daughter Kadda, Ben and Ben's son, Wyatt. He loved to tease his son Kyle, who claims he started lawn-mowing duties at the "tender age of 3" (though Ed always insisted it was closer to 13). Above all, he made sure Kyle knew how much he appreciated him and how proud he was of the man he had become. Ed was gentle with all his animals, especially his beloved cat, Mr. Brock, who preferred him above everyone else.

A proud veteran, Ed loved his country and enjoyed attending air shows, where he delighted in teaching his grandchildren about military aircraft. He was a devout Catholic and faithful follower of Christ, attending St. Jude Catholic Church with his family.

Ed is preceded in death by his father, James Fidelas Parks, and his sister, Mary Boothe.

He is survived by his mother, Esther Parks (100); his loving wife of 48 years, Carol Jean Parks; his daughter, Kadda Cabot (Ben); his son, Kyle Parks (Lindsay); his son-in-law Tom Cabot; his granddaughters, Kieran Cabot, Haiden Cabot, and Karina Parks; his grandson, Lawson Parks and Wyatt Garon (J'Aisha); and ten siblings-Evelyn, Kathleen, Donald, Patrick, Steven, Annette, Paul, Jannette, Denise, and Dennis-along with their many families. As the second eldest of twelve children, Ed leaves behind a large and loving extended family.

Services will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mansfield, Texas, with a reception to follow. Burial will follow at a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, in keeping with his wish to be laid to rest near his father.