Darrell Dean Parks

Darrell Dean Parks, 91, passed away on August 11, 2021, in Muskogee, OK. He was born on November 30, 1929 to John C. Parks and Lora Crosson Parks in Wauneta, Nebraska. He moved frequently during his childhood but graduated from Dewey High School in 1949. While in Dewey, he met the love of his life, Priscilla “Sido” Hill and they were married on June 14, 1950, at the First Christian Church in Dewey, OK. They spent 68 years of marriage together until her death in 2018. They had a wonderful life together and were affectionately known by family and friends as Corky and Sido. Darrell joined the US Army in 1952. He was deployed to South Korea where he spent 9 months serving on the front lines. He was honorably discharged from the army in 1960. Upon discharge, Darrell worked with his father at Parks Construction until his father’s death in 1957. He worked in management with Rock Island Oil, Matador Oil Co, Koch Oil Co, and Texas Oil and Gas. During his time with Koch, he moved his family to Blackwell, Enid, and Duncan, OK; Dickinson, ND; Breckenridge, TX; and Woodward, OK before settling down in Watonga, OK. While in Watonga, he started P&K Construction. After 18 years in Watonga, he and Sido moved to Mountain Home, AR. He started the business, Friendly Rentals, where he rented out equipment and was a heavy equipment operator. In 1989, Darrell and Sido “retired” to Dora, MO where he worked for Giles and Kendall, and started his handy-man business. Their final move was to Muskogee, OK, to be near their daughter. Along their journey, they made numerous friends and were involved with local churches wherever they lived. Darrell and Sido enjoyed travelling on a cruise to the Virgin Islands, and visiting friends and family in Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. He enjoyed staying busy as a handyman helping others with their projects. He loved working with heavy equipment and could fix just about anything. Darrell was an active member of Boulevard Christian Church and served with the Backpack Program. He was also active with the Eastern Oklahoma Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association and American Legion Post #20. He received the Medal of Patriotism and the Warrior Award from the Cherokee Nation for his service in the Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Priscilla Parks; mother, Lora Crosson Parks; father, John C. Parks; stepmother, Lulu Mae Parks; brother, John “Jack” Parks; sister-in-law, Joyce Parks; brother-in-law, Russell Frisbie; and nephew, Dan Frisbie. Darrell is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Hensley and husband Chuck of Muskogee, OK; son, Kenny Parks and wife Sammye of Breckenridge, TX; sister, Margie Frisbie of Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren, Amanda Goodin (Brian) of Kilgore, TX, Brian Parks of Kilgore, TX, Jennifer Nelson (Aaron) of Abilene, TX, Amy Baxley (Tim) of Abilene, TX, Cole Hensley (Samantha) of San Antonio, TX and Savannah Hensley of San Antonio, TX; great-grandchildren, Jayton and Jacob Nelson of Abilene, TX, Breanna Parks, Grant and Natalie Baxley of Abilene and Selena and Jeremiah Goodin of Kilgore, TX and a host of family and friends. Funeral Services will be held 10 A.M., Friday, August 20, 2021 at Boulevard Christian Church with Pastor Steve Moss, Pastor James McCracken and Pastor Tony Blumenberg officiating. Interment will follow at 3pm at Dewey Cemetery in Dewey, OK. .

Darrell Dean Parks

November 30, 1929 - August 11, 2021