Kenneth Knox Parks Jr., dearest son, brother, husband and father of two children, passed away peacefully and comfortably on October 23rd at the age of 66. His immediate family stayed at his side to the very end, helping to send him off with love, prayers and hymns.
Born in 1953 as the oldest son of Ken and Millie Parks, Ken Parks Jr. grew up in St. Louis with his two brothers, Jim and Tom Parks. Eager to see the world, Ken backpacked across Europe after graduating from Berkley High School, then earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri St. Louis. Pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Iowa, he also met the love of his life, an international student from Brazil by the name of Maria Tereza. Once Ken married Tereza in October of 1981, they moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After living in Canada for almost four years, they moved back to St. Louis, where Ken joined the United States Navy as a hospital administrator. Different assignments then brought the married couple to Whidbey Island, Washington state, where their daughter Beatriz was born, and Yokosuka, Japan, where their son John David was born. Returning to St. Louis, Ken became a long-term member of Central Presbyterian Church, serving for many years as a children’s Sunday school teacher. Through his home and professional life, he further devoted himself as a loving husband and father while working for St. Louis County until his retirement in 2015. It brought him great joy to see his first grandson Levi, son of Beatriz and Ismail Adiputra, born earlier this year.
Ken was a faithful and kind husband and father, always exceedingly proud of his children. Spending time with his family, especially singing to his grandson Levi, was Ken’s favorite thing to do. He delighted in the word of God and passionately studied the Bible on his own as well as with innumerable classes and groups at Central Presbyterian Church and Bible Study Fellowship. He deeply desired the best for our country, avidly following and ardently discussing politics. Ken loved to learn anything new and was an enthusiastic conversationalist, always full of questions. Known for his humility, idealism, and friendliness to all, Ken will be greatly missed.
The visitation will be held at Kutis Funeral Home in Affton from 3 to 6 pm on Sunday, November 3rd. A memorial service in honor of Ken Parks will be held at Central Presbyterian Church in Clayton at 11 am on Monday, November 4th.