Richard Louis Park

He was born in Polk City, Florida on July 13, 1937. His parents were Fanny Tompkins Park and Grady E. Park. He spent his childhood in Florida.

Richard is survived by his wife, Patricia Park (Patti) to whom he was married 70 years. His siblings are Lucille Rogers, Beatrice Sparkman (deceased), Franklin Delano Park (deceased), Grady Robert Park (deceased), Larry Park, Vera Whitfield and Billy Joe Park. Richard has 3 sons and a daughter - Richard Park Jr., Robert Park, Jefferson Park and Stephanie Park and 4 beloved daughters-in-law. Richard was blessed with 3 grandsons, Matthew Park, Kristopher Park and Nicholas Park and one granddaughter Sofia Riley Park. Richard has 2 great grandchildren - Kylo, son of Kris Park, and 2 great granddaughters, Riley, daughter of Nick Park, and Aralee, daughter of Kris Park.

Richard's formal education includes: Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology, Doctor of Ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Science in Counseling from Long Island University, Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Bachelor of Arts from University of Florida.

Richard proudly served 21 years as an Airborne Chaplain in the U.S. Army. He deployed to Vietnam twice. For his years in service he received the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Medal. His duty assignments included: Fort Gordon; Wilmington, Ohio; Bad Aibling, Germany; Mainz, Germany; Fort Hamilton; Fort Knox; Mannheim, Germany and White Sands Missile Range, NM. Richard was the director of Family Life Enrichment Centers at Fort Knox, KY, Mannheim, Germany and White Sands Missile Range, NM. Richard was the Chief of the Leadership Division, U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, KY.

After retiring from the U.S. Army, Richard was in private practice as a social worker for 25 years seeing patients in individual, couples and family therapy. He developed and presented training programs for Customs and Border Protection. He facilitated Critical/Traumatic Incidence Debriefing for local and federal law enforcement agencies. Richard was Deputy Director of the Child & Adolescent Division of Life Management Center for Mental Health and Mental Retardation. He was CEO and Administrator of HCA Sun Valley Regional Hospital in El Paso

Richard was a teacher throughout his life. He taught at the following institutions of higher learning: Webster University, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community College, Texas Tech University, Dept of Psychiatry, Emory Riddle University, U.S. Army Armor School, Director of Leadership Training, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Richard was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, a Licensed Child-Care Administrator and a Nationally Certified Counselor.

Richard-was an avid runner, bike rider, and triathlete who raced 51 marathons and hundreds of triathlons.