JAMES PARKS

1953 - 2016

May 16, 1953 - April 15, 2016 PRAGUE James Patterson Parks, II, a longtime resident of Prague, OK, was born on May 16, 1953, in Okemah, OK to James Patterson & Mary Jane (Selby) Parks and departed this life on Friday, April 15, 2016, in Oklahoma City at the age of 62. Jim earned the Eagle Scout Award at the age of 13, the youngest at that time to achieve that award. While still in high school, Jim upgraded the accounting system for the family businesses, Parks Hardware and Parks Brothers Funeral Homes in Okemah and Prague. Following his graduation from Okemah High School, he attended The University of Oklahoma, where he earned a BBA in accounting with special emphasis on federal taxation from the OU School of Business. While at OU, Jim was named Outstanding Senior Man in 1975; Big Man on Campus in 1974 and 1975; and Member of Sigma Chi fraternity, serving three years as treasurer. Upon the death of the last of the original Parks Brothers, Jim, at the age of 23, became the second owner/operator of a now 100-year-old Parks Brothers Funeral Service. At age 30, he built a new funeral home building in Prague, and at age 32, he purchased the Curry Funeral Homes in Stroud, Chandler, and Meeker, which solidified the Lincoln County business. Jim married Janet Kaltenbach Fairbanks on Dec. 6, 2002. He was an avid fan of OU football and Thunder basketball. Jim also loved to travel with family and friends. Jim was past president of the Prague Chamber of Commerce, president of Prague Builders for the last 15 years, past president of the Kolache Festival, and past president of the Oklahoma State Funeral Board. He was a longtime member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, where he chaired the building committee to build the parish hall, a community director of BancFirst of Prague for over 20 years, and a supporter of the Food 4 Kids weekend backpack food program. Jim also volunteered 20 consecutive days with the Medical Examiner's Office following the Oklahoma City Bombing. Jim learned compassion and caretaking from his mother and generosity and hard work from his father -- traits he cherished and shared throughout his life. He loved his family, was Papa to the grandchildren and Daddy to his puppies. He will forever be in the hearts of those who loved him. His parents and an infant sister preceded Jim in death. Survivors include his wife, Janet Parks, of the home; daughters and sons-in-law, Rebecca and Duane Fernandez, of Tulsa; and Kristina and Steve Degraffenreid, of Shawnee; sons and daughters-in-law, Jade and Angie Parks, of Prague; Kash Parks, of Oklahoma City; and Doug and Vicki Fairbanks, of Prague; sister, Mary Margaret "MM"" Reilly Greene, of Prague; step-siblings and their spouses, the Rev. David and Anna Faye Rose, of Oklahoma City; Morri Rose, of Oklahoma City; and Jenny and George Knopp, of Edmond; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Connie Reilly, of Okemah; and Joe and Shari Parks, of Okemah; stepmother, Margaret Parks, of Prague; mother-in-law, Pearl Kaltenbach, of Prague; grandchildren, Dustin Chastain and his wife Ashley, Anna Degraffenreid, Hannah and Haley Fairbanks, and Ella and Jase Parks; great-grandchildren, Allena and Bentley Degraffenreid; special nephew and caretaker, Tony "Denbe" Greene, of Fairview, TX; special cousin and her husband, Gay and Dr. Mike Steward, of Shawnee; numerous other relatives and many, many friends. A Rosary will be held on Tuesday evening, April 19, 2016, at 6:30 p.m., and Family Visitation will follow at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague. A Celebration of Jim's life will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Prague with Bro. Tim Emmons officiating. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.