Randall "Randy" Lee Parks, age 76 years, 4 months and 12 days, of Viburnum, MO, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.  An unyielding soul, Randy battled cancer for nearly two years.

Randy was born February 15, 1948, in Bonne Terre, MO to Earl William Parks and Ruby Lee Snyder Parks.  Randy grew up in Sullivan, MO graduating from high school in the class of 1966, that same year, Randy joined the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1970. Sargent Parks was a B52 mechanic throughout his military career.

On October 8, 1966, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Janet Immekus and to this union two sons, Rodney and Christopher were born.

Throughout the years, Randy enjoyed drag racing his Chevelle "Holy Smokes," and spend time teaching his two sons, fishing, snow skiing and water skiing.  A natural mechanic, Randy supported his youngest son, Christopher, in his pursuit of a career in motor cross, keeping his cycle in top shape, often leading Christopher to achieve multiple championships.  When he wasn't fishing you could find Randy visiting various NASCAR tracks with family and friends.  After Janet passed away in 2002, Randy remarried on April 4, 2003, to Tina Sellers Hunt; "Teen" always said that she saved him, because he would have mourned himself to death, he always said that he had two wonderful women in his life.  This union expanded Randy's family by adding a daughter, Lynn Asher.

Randy was employed in the mining industry for nearly 45 years before retiring from The Doe Run Co. March of 2018.  As a Maintenance Superintendent, Randy used a walkaround approach to leadership.  Seen as fair, efficient, and diligent in his work, Randy instilled a hardworking philosophy to those he supervised.  Adventurous souls, Randy and Tina enjoyed taking cruises, traveling domestically and internationally.  While traveling internationally, their traveling partners were his oldest son and partner, Rodney and Aaron, those times were cherished with many great memories. He loved spending time with family and friends, specifically fishing with his dear friend Don Pirtle, oh the stories he would come home telling.  Tina turned Randy into an avid UCONN women's basketball fan, traveling to watch them play or not missing a game on TV.  Randy was a very giving person, always looking for ways to "pay if forward."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Ruby Parks, his first wife, Janet, infant brother, Steven Parks; one sister, Becky Blankenship, one nephew, Brian Hulsey and one niece, Lynn Young.

Randy will be sadly missed, especially by his wife Tina, of 21 years; two sons, Rodney (Aaron Bailey) Parks of Elon, N.C and Christopher (Michelle) Parks of Sullivan, MO; one daughter, Lynn (Kelley) Asher of Republic, MO; eight grandchildren, Alannah Jennings, Taylore Parks, Kaylee Parks (Navy Culinary Specialist, U.S. Navy E3), Garren Parks, (Marine Artilleryman, Corporal U.S. Marines), Levi Parks, Alonzo Parks, Dani (Jason) Damaske and Megan Skipton (fiancé Jake French); five great-grandchildren, Sydney Skipton, Mason Damaske, Cooper Skipton, Asher Damaske and Charlotte French; one brother, Ken (Debbie) Parks of Leslie, MO; brother-in-law, Larry Blankenship (Norma Jean) of Sullivan, MO; sister-laws, Brenda and Carla Sellers of Viburnum, MO; nephews, Steve Blankenship (Lanise), Justin Parks (Amanda), nieces, Natalie Parks and Melissa Lopez, other relatives,  many friends, and their 3 furry babies at home; Joey, Jake and Pete.

The Family received friends from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2024, at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2024 with Bro. Elvie Hedrick and Bro. Ron Brodwater officiating with both sharing many memories. Other memories were shared by his son, Rodney Parks and Brenda Sellers. Special music of "Don't Let the Ole' Man In", "I Can Only Imagine", "When I Get Where I Am Going", "When I'm Gone" and "Hallelujah" was played on CD's.

Live streaming was done on the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home Facebbook Page.

Committal prayer and interment with Full Military Honors by the United States Air Force at Sellers Cemetery, Dillard, MO.

The Parks Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
424 E. 92nd St, New York NY 10128-6804
Web: https://www.aspca.org/

Sellers Cemetery
334 Sellers Rd., Davisville MO 65456

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-822-6344