Harry Whan Park

A memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham on March 9, 2013 at 1:00 pm.

Harry Park was born in Fairview, Oregon to Kyung Soo Park and So Sa Im Park on July 24, 1918. Harry’s family lost their mother in 1925 and later that same year the family moved to Idaho to be closer to relatives. Harry graduated from Eagle High School in Eagle, Idaho in 1936. He farmed with his family in Idaho and in 1947 they moved back to Oregon where he farmed vegetables with his father east of Gresham. In 1951 he married Rak Soon Lee and had four children. He also did landscape maintenance which led him to take classes in horticulture. He later converted to growing nursery stock and worked on the farm he loved until health issues required him to retire in 2001.

He was honored as the 1976 Outstanding Conservation Farmer of the Year and the 1997 Farm Family of the Year. He was a longtime member of the Oregon Association of Nurseries and the Oregon Farm Bureau.

Harry was a founding member of the Korean Society of Oregon and served as president for several terms. In 2011 he received the Meritorious Service Award for distinguished service from the Oregon Korean-American Day Commission. He volunteered for numerous organizations, supporting his children and community. These included serving on the Sam Barlow High School Bruin Pa’s booster club and the school’s budget committee. He continued to serve years after his children had graduated. While he most enjoyed farming, he had a variety of interests. In his younger years he joined the local boxing club and became a champion in his weight class. He took flying lessons and earned his pilot license. He was a skilled horseshoe player and later in life he took up golf. In some circles he was known as “Mr. Blackjack” as he thoroughly enjoyed a particular game of chance.

He had an infectious smile and laugh which would crinkle his eyes as they twinkled in delight. Whatever life’s inconveniences came his way, he always met them head on with his own style of quiet determination and humor. People would say he had one of the happiest and kindest souls they had ever met.

Harry is preceded in death by his brothers Charles, Jackson, John, sisters Wanda, Rose, and Louvie.

He is survived by his wife Rak Soon, his children Rod, Joyce, Doug and Tom, his sister Marie, brothers Gilbert and Art and his grandson Chase. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Oregon Korea Foundation,7650 SW 81st Ave, Portland, OR 97223. Condolences may be left on Harry’s online guestbook at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Mt Hood Legacy Hospital, Fairlawn Good Samaritan Village, Mt. Hood Hospice, in-home care givers, and all those who cared and comforted him.