Charles E. Parks

The Palestine Herald

July 31, 2008 02:44 am

— Military graveside services for Charles Elmer Parks, 85, of Palestine will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery, 8010 Katy Freeway in Houston with Dr. Barry Roberts officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home, Palestine.
Mr. Parks died Tuesday at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.
He was born Dec. 21, 1922, in Stanton, Mo., to Benjamin and Lola Armstead Parks.
Mr. Parks was raised in Missouri and had lived in Houston for 55 years before moving to Palestine in 2002. While serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, his B-24 was shot down over Yugoslavia and he was a P.O.W. in Germany.
Mr. Parks was a baker for many years and attended the Evangelistic Temple.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Edna Parks, in 2001.
Mr. Parks is survived by his daughter, Jean M. Smith of Palestine; brother, Donald O. Parks of St. Louis, Mo.; two grandchildren, Laura Trezise of Austin and Michael Eaves of Freeport; and five great-grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dwight Eaves, Michael Eaves, Kyle Stokes, Bransen Hudson, Drew Trezise and Walter E. Dyches.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.