- Date Of Birth: April 1, 1922
- Date Of Death: November 3, 2016
- State: Georgia
The writer of the book of Colossians expresses the sentiment “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
On November 3, 2016, that ideal came full circle in the earthly life of Reverend Ralph Zane Parks, Sr. Ralph’s journey of service began on April 1, 1922 in very humble beginnings in a sleepy little coal mining town, Sugar Grove, Virginia. He was one of three children born to the late Henry Dickenson and Myrtle Huldah Hamric Parks. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings H. D. Parks, Jr. and Mildred Parks Lester. Realizing early on in life that his ambitions reached far beyond a life in Sugar Grove, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He enlisted at the age of 18 and for the next 15 years he loved being a naval aviator. He flew photo reconnaissance during the Korean campaign.
He would also serve six years in the Navy reserve. He ultimately attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1942 he would meet and subsequently marry Elizabeth Goodson, who would be his devoted wife and life companion until her death in 2015. Ralph would later attend Georgia Tech graduated with a degree in Industrial Management. Having felt the call of God upon his life he would also achieve a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary at Wake Forest. For the next 28 years, he followed God’s lead as he served churches in Georgia and South Carolina. He also served 14 years as a Methodist minister in Georgia. Ralph was a man of incredible personal strength and a sense of intense responsibility for those in his care.
His life of service was fashioned in such a manner that only God would be glorified and he saw himself as only a conduit of God’s magnificent grace and healing spirit. Ralph would see his life blessed by two sons, Ralph Zane Parks, Jr. and his wife Bridget; David D. Parks and his wife Nancy. His Godly life was an example to his grandchildren, Stephen Parks-Bell (and Cori), Moirasheen Woodward (and Tim), Meghan Petryk (and Ed), Gretchen Benz, Benjamin D. Parks (and Molly), Jessica Boon (and Ryan), Whitney Parks. There are thirteen great grandchildren.
