David Wayne Parks died at his home in Austin, Texas on Wednesday evening, August 7, 2019. Dave was born in Muenster, Texas on December 25, 1941. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1960 and received his degree from Texas Tech University.
Dave had an accomplished and rewarding 10 year career in the National Football League. In the 1964 NFL draft, he was the No. 1 overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers where he played for 4 years. He played for the New Orleans Saints for 5 years and the Houston Oilers for his last season. He played in several Pro Bowls and was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Texas Tech University Ring of Honor in 2012. Dave loved the game of football and the lifelong friends he made along the way.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Albert Parks and Oda Fay Johnson Parks.
Dave is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan; his daughter Paige McClung (Kip) and their daughter McKenzie and son Kevin; his son David Parks, Jr. (Allison) and their son Chase, daughter Chandler, and son Chad; and his son Todd Parks and his son Trenton (Ashley) and daughter Paige (Blake).
Dave donated his brain to the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine to help further the research and understanding of CTE and awareness of the connection to repetitive head impacts including concussions.
No public services are planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Temple, Texas, 2415 South 47th Street, Temple, TX 76504.
