Emory Carroll Parks

service will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Christ United Methodist Church, 14506 East

39th Street, Independence, MO. Visitation will start at 10 A.M. with service to follow at 11

A.M. The family will hold a private ceremony at the cemetery following the conclusion of the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ United Methodist Church’s Children program, Boys and Girls Clubs of Independence, and Scottish Rite or Shriners Hospitals.

Emory was born on November 16, 1922 in Parksley, VA, a small town on Virginia’s eastern shore.

Following high school graduation, Emory enlisted in the U.S. Navy, was trained in

meteorology, transferred to Honolulu and assigned to Fleet Air Wing I. His enlistment also sent

him across the Pacific to Fiji, Esprit De Santos, and eventually New Caledonia. Soon after, he

was chosen to take part in the Naval V-12 officer training program of 1943 at Central Missouri

State Teachers College in Warrensburg, Missouri.

It was during this assignment he met his wife-to-be, Lorene Belt. After the two married in

1945, Emory was soon sent back to sea by the navy. He spent his final months of duty aboard

the USS Atlanta and was discharged in December 1946, then returned to Warrensburg to finish

his college degree.

Following his 1948 graduation, Emory assumed a teaching position in mathematics and

physical education in Vancouver, Washington. He returned to Missouri and resumed his

education at CMSU and obtained his Master of Science in Education. He began his career with

the Independence, Missouri School District in 1951 where he served as a counselor, vice-principal,

principal, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent.

On retirement in 1985, Emory and Lorene enjoyed their cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks, as

well as traveling the US and abroad. He and Lorene moved to Hidden Valley Club in

September 1996 after living 42 years on North River Blvd. and made many friends in this

retirement community. After 63 years as a couple, Mrs. Lorene Parks died on October 29,

2008.

Emory believed in service to his community. He was an active member in the Kiwanis Club,

served in the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years including Grand Master, and he was a life

member of the American Legion. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church for

over six decades.

Emory and Lorene’s son, Ed Parks (wife Barbara) live in Rogers, Arkansas. Their son Mike Parks

(wife Maureen) reside in Dallas, Texas. Emory and Lorene have three grandchildren who are

left to cherish their legacy: Shannon Letts of Rogers, Arkansas, Chris Parks of Dallas, TX and

Dan Parks of Dallas, TX. Two great-grandchildren, Parker and Connor Letts, of Rogers,

Arkansas share in Emory’s lasting legacy.

Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at

www.sparkmanrichardson.com