Jimmy Parks, Sr.

Jimmy Wayne Parks, Sr., 81, of Midland, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 17, surrounded by family.

Born December 6, 1937, in Memphis, Tenn., Jimmy was the son of the late Walter Hugh Parks, Sr., and Jettie Viola Wilson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Tera Pearl Busby, Irma Ree (Bobbie) Busby and Reese (Lamar) Busby; children Kathy Ann Parks, Karen L. Parks and Michael Lloyd Parks; and grandchild Shannon Kincade.

Jimmy and his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Judy) Moore, were married on January 30, 1960, in Jasper, Alabama, and afterward enjoyed traveling the world and experiencing new adventures - visiting Germany, Mulan, Venezuela, Cancun, Cozumel and many other places - while creating a family together.

Jimmy lived a wide-ranging and eclectic life, starting as a self-made businessman who became a movie producer and distributer out of Universal Studios before becoming the proud owner of the Dixie Queen gold mine, where he enjoyed his leisure time becoming a self-taught chemist, gold panning and prospecting in his later years. In between it all, he dabbled in numerous hobbies, including serving as a hunting tour guide in Alaska - where he and a friend once survived in the wilderness for six days after a plane wreck left him stranded. He was an expert Texas Hold’em player, as many in the area could attest to.  He was handy with a gun, with a quick draw that would rival even those of his favorite Western characters. And he was a legendary storyteller, holding his audience in rapt attention with his life’s tales.

But most of all, he was proud of his family, and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren until the end of his years. And he was happiest when he could enjoy spending time with his family while watching a good Western by the fireplace.

Survivors include his wife; his brother, Walter Hugh Parks, Jr.; his children, Jimmy Wayne Parks, Jr., David Wayne Parks and wife, Olympia, Kevin Frederick Parks and wife, Michelle, and Charlotte Lynn Parks; his grandchildren Tori Kincade Fredericks, Sandra Nicole Mack and her husband, Chris, Michael Eric Parks and his wife, Jessica, Sarah Rachel Kelly and her husband, Kirk, Steven Tyler Parks, Shane Anthony Parks, Madison Parks, Autumn Walter, Ashton Hartsell and Christy Parks; and 14 great-grandchildren.

His family will receive friends and loved ones on Friday, February 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland, 13575 Broadway Ave., Midland, which is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s in his name.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com