John Parks

ATHENS – John David Parks, 71, died Saturday, March 28, 2009.

Born on September 27, 1917, in Banks County, he was the son of Ernest G. and Minnie D. Parks. He came to Athens in 1938 as an employee of Rodgers Hosiery Mill and later worked with Normal Hardware Company prior to his ownership of Handy Variety Hardware Company, retiring from the hardware business in 1980. He was a longtime member of the Prince Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, was active in Sunday School, youth programs and brotherhood, and was church treasurer for many years. Mr. Parks was a veteran, having served in the United States Army’s 29th Infantry Division, from Normandy, France to Julich, Germany. He served in the four major battle campaigns for Northern Europe and was the recipient of the Bronze Star and was twice awarded the Purple Heart for combat wounds. He was a member of the Athens Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and worked with the effort to create a US postage stamp in honor of the Purple Heart medal. In addition, he was a contributor to the construction of the Purple Heart Memorial at Athens Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Marcus Brewer Parks; daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Phyllis Parks Veal and Glenn A. Veal, Milledgeville; son and daughter-in-law, John David Parks Jr. and Dawn Dickinson Parks, Jefferson; grandchildren, Emily Diane Parks, John David Parks III and wife, Anna; brother, Bobby Parks, Hull.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 30, in the chapel of Bernstein Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Ricketts officiating. Burial was at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Prince Avenue Baptist Church, 2131 Ruth Jackson Rd., Bogart, GA 30622, or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 409410, Atlanta, GA 30384-9410.

Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, was in charge of arrangements.