James "Jim" Willis Parks

James (Jim) Willis Parks, 94, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023, after a prolonged battle with kidney and heart disease.

Jim was born on February 25, 1929, in Wallace, Idaho. He often reminisced about his cherished childhood memories of playing in the mountains. At the age of 15, his family relocated to the family farm in Miami, Missouri, where he actively assisted his father with farming.

On June 18, 1949, Jim married his beloved wife, Ila Mae Olmstead. They started their family a year later, and in 1955, they moved to Kansas City with their first two children. Jim began his career at Owens Corning Fiberglass, where he dedicated 30 years of service. Over the years, their family expanded to include five children.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Ila Mae Parks, and their children: Linda Gale Jarman and her husband Obie, Carol Lee Parks, Ila Marie Parks, Roger Dale Parks and his wife Terry, and William (Bill) Edwin Parks and his wife Debra. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, James Wesley and Mary Delphine Parks, his siblings Delphine Egbert, Marie Winslow, and Eugene Parks, as well as his grandson Sheldon Parks.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Terrace Park Cemetery - Lakeside Chapel on Friday, May 26th with visitation from 10-11am, followed immediately by the graveside service and a private family gathering. Contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.