Lawrence Dean Parks

Lawrence Dean Parks, 71, El Dorado Springs, passed away in his home on Thursday morning, March 14, 2019. Dean, as he was known by his family and friends, was born in El Dorado Springs on Feb. 14, 1948, the oldest son of Leonard Parks and Wynetta (Clutter) Parks. Dean graduated from El Dorado Springs High School.

Dean married Myrna Lea (McCullick) Parks on Nov. 24, 1968, who preceded him in death in February, 2018. To their union were born two children: Jeffrey Dean and Kerri Ruth.

Dean was drafted into the United States Air Force in 1970 and served in multiple duty stations within the United States as an Air Cargo Specialist and Recruiter until his discharge in 1976. The family lived in California, Illinois and Idaho before returning home to Missouri. Dean was always active and entrepreneurial, working in the trades and supporting the community of El Dorado Springs for many years.

Preceding Dean in death were: his wife, Myrna; his parents; and grandparents, Dean and Thyra Clutter, who helped to raise him and his brother.

Survivors include his children: Jeffrey Dean Parks and his wife, Kelle, of Monument, CO; Kerri Ruth Parks-Klotz and her husband. Kelly. of El Dorado Springs, MO; his brothers, Neil Parks and his wife, Sherry, of Fordland; Leonard Parks and his wife, Renne of North Carolina; sisters: – Myra (Parks) Dickinson of Clinton, Jeanne Parks of Roscoe and Jody (Parks) Jacobs of Warsaw;  his granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth (Parks) Crawford, of Nortonville, KS, who he and Myrna raised as their daughter; grandchildren – Ryan Pixler, Jordan Ramey, Ashlan and Bobby Burgess, Zachary Parks, Ethan Parks, Maxwell Slater, and Oliver Parks; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for Dean Parks were held on Monday, March 18, 2019, in Bland-Hackleman Chapel with Rev. Brent Bland and Rev. Chad Daniel officiating. Interment followed in El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Ryan Pixler, Jordan Ramey, Ethan Parks, Kevin Berning, Michael Parks and Jeremy Parks.

Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackleman.com.